The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (ReadOn Classics)

by Emily Dickinson

This is my letter to the world, That never wrote to me, —

Here a star, and there a star, Some lose their way. Here a mist, and there a mist, Afterwards — day!

VI. If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.

The soul selects her own society,

THE MYSTERY OF PAIN. Pain has an element of blank; It cannot recollect When it began, or if there were A day when it was not. It has no future but itself, Its infinite realms contain Its past, enlightened to perceive New periods of pain.

A BOOK. He ate and drank the precious words, His spirit grew robust; He knew no more that he was poor, Nor that his frame was dust. He danced along the dingy days, And this bequest of wings Was but a book. What liberty A loosened spirit brings!

I had no time to hate, because The grave would hinder me, And life was not so ample I Could finish enmity.

You left me boundaries of pain Capacious as the sea, Between eternity and time, Your consciousness and me.

Alter? When the hills do. Falter? When the sun Question if his glory Be the perfect one. Surfeit? When the daffodil Doth of the dew: Even as herself, O friend! I will of you!

What fortitude the soul contains, That it can so endure The accent of a coming foot, The opening of a door!

Why, God would be content With but a fraction of the love Poured thee without a stint.

PROOF. That I did always love, I bring thee proof: That till I loved I did not love enough. That I shall love alway, I offer thee That love is life, And life hath immortality. This, dost thou doubt, sweet? Then have I Nothing to show But Calvary.

APOTHEOSIS. Come slowly, Eden! Lips unused to thee, Bashful, sip thy jasmines, As the fainting bee, Reaching late his flower, Round her chamber hums, Counts his nectars — enters, And is lost in balms!