198 Quotes & Sayings By Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is considered one of the most influential poets in American history. After receiving no formal education, she began writing poetry at the age of twenty. She published her first poem, "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died," in 1874. Her poems contain ambiguous references that have led to much scholarly interpretation and comment, but she took care to keep her life private Read more

She died in 1886 at age sixty-five.

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall...
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If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain. Emily Dickinson
Morning without you is a dwindled dawn.
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Morning without you is a dwindled dawn. Emily Dickinson
Heart, we will forget him, You and I, tonight! You...
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Heart, we will forget him, You and I, tonight! You must forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light. Emily Dickinson
The Heart wants what it wants - or else it...
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The Heart wants what it wants - or else it does not care Emily Dickinson
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Till I loved I never lived. Emily Dickinson
That I shall love always, I argue theethat love is...
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That I shall love always, I argue theethat love is life, and life hath immortality Emily Dickinson
We outgrow love like other things and put it in...
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We outgrow love like other things and put it in a drawer, till it an antique fashion shows like costumes grandsires wore. Emily Dickinson
That it will never come again is what makes life...
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That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet. Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the...
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Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all. Emily Dickinson
To live is so startling it leaves little time for...
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To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. Emily Dickinson
The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the...
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The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience. Emily Dickinson
We never know how high we are till we are...
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We never know how high we are till we are called to rise. Then if we are true to form our statures touch the skies. Emily Dickinson
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Tell all the Truth but tell it slant-- Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm DelightThe Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind-- Emily Dickinson
Tell all the Truth, but tell it slant/ Success in...
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Tell all the Truth, but tell it slant/ Success in Circuit lies... Emily Dickinson
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A charm invests a face Imperfectly beheld, – The lady dare not lift her veil For fear it be dispelled. But peers beyond her mesh, And wishes, and denies, – Lest interview annul a want That image satisfies. Emily Dickinson
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To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee, One clover, and a bee, And revery. The revery alone will do, If bees are few. Emily Dickinson
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Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chilliest land And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me. Emily Dickinson
A great hope fell You heard no noise The ruin...
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A great hope fell You heard no noise The ruin was within. Emily Dickinson
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Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all -And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -And sore must be the storm -That could abash the little BirdThat kept so many warm -I’ve heard it in the chillest land -And on the strangest Sea -Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me. Emily Dickinson
Impossibility, like wine Exhilarates the man Who tastes it; PossibilityIs...
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Impossibility, like wine Exhilarates the man Who tastes it; PossibilityIs flavoreless. Emily Dickinson
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I died for beauty but was scarce Adjusted in the tomb, When one who died for truth was lain In an adjoining room. He questioned softly why I failed?" For beauty, " I replied." And I for truth, the two are one; We brethren are, " he said. And so, as kinsmen met a night, We talked between the rooms, Until the moss had reached our lips, And covered up our names. Emily Dickinson
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She died--this was the way she died; And when her breath was done, Took up her simple wardrobe And started for the sun. Her little figure at the gate The angels must have spied, Since I could never find her Upon the mortal side. Emily Dickinson
I wonder if it hurts to live, And if they...
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I wonder if it hurts to live, And if they have to try, And whether, could they choose between, They would not rather die. Emily Dickinson
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My life closed twice before its close; It yet remains to see If Immortality unveil A third event to me, So huge, so hopeless to conceive, As these that twice befell. Parting is all we know of heaven, And all we need of hell. Emily Dickinson
The bustle in a house The morning after death Is...
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The bustle in a house The morning after death Is solemnest of industries Enacted upon earth, -- The sweeping up the heart, And putting love away We shall not want to use again Until eternity Emily Dickinson
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Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves And Immortality.We slowly drove, he knew no haste, And I had put away My labour, and my leisure too, For his civility. We passed the school where children played, Their lessons scarcely done; We passed the fields of gazing grain, We passed the setting sun. We paused before a house that seemed A swelling of the ground; The roof was scarcely visible, The cornice but a mound. Since then 'tis centuries; but each Feels shorter than the day I first surmised the horses' heads Were toward eternity. . Emily Dickinson
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We do not play on Graves–Because there isn't Room–Besides–it isn't even–it slants And People come– And put a Flower on it– And hang their faces so– We're fearing that their Hearts will drop– And crush our pretty play– And so we move as far As Enemies–away–Just looking round to see how far It is– Occasionally– Emily Dickinson
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There is a pain — so utter — It swallows substance up — Then covers the Abyss with Trance — So Memory can step Around — across — opon it — As one within a Swoon — Goes safely — where an open eye — Would drop Him — Bone by Bone. Emily Dickinson
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If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way? Emily Dickinson
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I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? Then there ’s a pair of us–don’t tell! They ’d banish us, you know. How dreary to be somebody! How public, like a frog To tell your name the livelong day To an admiring bog! Emily Dickinson
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How happy is the little stone That rambles in the road alone, And doesn't care about careers, And exigencies never fears; Whose coat of elemental brown A passing universe put on; And independent as the sun, Associates or glows alone, Fulfilling absolute decree In casual simplicity. Emily Dickinson
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There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry — This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll — How frugal is the Chariot That bears a Human soul. Emily Dickinson
PHOSPHORESCENCE. Now there's a word to lift your hat to......
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PHOSPHORESCENCE. Now there's a word to lift your hat to... to find that phosphorescence, that light within, that's the genius behind poetry. Emily Dickinson
One need not be a chamber to be haunted.
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One need not be a chamber to be haunted. Emily Dickinson
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I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes;I wonder if It weighs like Mine, Or has an Easier size. I wonder if They bore it long, Or did it just begin? I could not tell the Date of Mine, It feels so old a pain. I wonder if it hurts to live, And if They have to try, And whether, could They choose between, It would not be, to die. I note that Some -- gone patient long --At length, renew their smile. An imitation of a LightThat has so little Oil. I wonder if when Years have piled, Some Thousands -- on the Harm Of early hurt -- if such a lapse Could give them any Balm; Or would they go on aching still Through Centuries above, Enlightened to a larger PainBy Contrast with the Love. The Grieved are many, I am told; The reason deeper lies, --Death is but oneand comes but once, And only nails the eyes. There's Grief of Want and Grief of Cold, --A sort they call "Despair";There's Banishment from native Eyes, In sight of Native Air. And though I may not guess the kind Correctly, yet to me A piercing Comfort it affords In passing Calvary, To note the fashions of the Cross, And how they're mostly worn, Still fascinated to presume That Some are like My Own. Emily Dickinson
A wounded dear leaps the highest
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A wounded dear leaps the highest Emily Dickinson
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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! Emily Dickinson
There's a certain slant of light, On winter afternoons, That...
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There's a certain slant of light, On winter afternoons, That oppresses, like the weight Of cathedral tunes. Emily Dickinson
I felt a Cleaving in my Mind–As if my Brain...
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I felt a Cleaving in my Mind–As if my Brain had split– I tried to match it– Seam by Seam–But could not make it fit. Emily Dickinson
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Wild Nights — Wild Nights! Were I with thee Wild Nights should be Our luxury! Futile — the winds —To a heart in port —Done with the compass —Done with the chart! Rowing in Eden —Ah, the sea! Might I moor — Tonight —In thee! Emily Dickinson
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Inebriate of Air – am I –And Debauchee of Dew –Reeling – thro endless summer days –From Inns of Molten Blue – Emily Dickinson
One need not be a Chamber – to be Haunted...
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One need not be a Chamber – to be Haunted – One need not be a House – The Brain has Corridors – surpassing Material Place – Emily Dickinson
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It was not death, for I stood up, And all the dead lie down; It was not night, for all the bells Put out their tongues, for noon. It was not frost, for on my flesh I felt siroccos crawl, Nor fire, for just my marble feet Could keep a chancel cool. And yet it tasted like them all; The figures I have seen Set orderly, for burial, Reminded me of mine, As if my life were shaven And fitted to a frame, And could not breathe without a key; And I was like midnight, some, When everything that ticked has stopped, And space stares, all around, Or grisly frosts, first autumn morns, Repeal the beating ground. But most like chaos, --stopless, cool, Without a chance or spar, -- Or even a report of land To justify despair. . Emily Dickinson
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After great pain, a formal feeling comes — The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs — The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore, And Yesterday, or Centuries before? The Feet, mechanical, go round — Of Ground, or Air, or Ought — A Wooden way Regardless grown, A Quartz contentment, like a stone — This is the Hour of Lead — Remembered, if outlived, As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow — First — Chill — then Stupor — then the letting go — . Emily Dickinson
A precious, mouldering pleasure ’t is To meet an antique...
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A precious, mouldering pleasure ’t is To meet an antique book, In just the dress his century wore; A privilege, I think. Emily Dickinson
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I had been hungry all the years- My noon had come, to dine- I, trembling, drew the table near And touched the curious wine. 'Twas this on tables I had seen When turning, hungry, lone, I looked in windows, for the wealth I could not hope to own. I did not know the ample bread, ' Twas so unlike the crumb The birds and I had often shared In Nature's diningroom. The plenty hurt me, 'twas so new, -- Myself felt ill and odd, As berry of a mountain bush Transplanted to the road. Nor was I hungry; so I found That hunger was a way Of persons outside windows, The entering takes away. Emily Dickinson
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Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, But which will bloom most constantly? The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring, Its summer blossoms scent the air; Yet wait till winter comes again, And who will call the wild-briar fair? Then, scorn the silly rose-wreath now, And deck thee with holly's sheen, That, when December blights thy brow, He still may leave thy garland green. Emily Dickinson
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She dealt her pretty words like Blades --How glittering they shone --And every One unbared a NerveOr wantoned with a Bone --She never deemed -- she hurt --That -- is not Steel's Affair --A vulgar grimace in the Flesh --How ill the Creatures bear --To Ache is human -- not polite --The Film upon the eye Mortality's old Custom --Just locking up -- to Die. Emily Dickinson
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The Soul selects her own Society–Then–shuts the Door–To her divine Majority–Present no more– Unmoved–she notes the Chariots–pausing–At her low Gate–Unmoved–an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat–I've known her–from an ample nation– Choose One–Then–close the Valves of her attention– Like Stone– Emily Dickinson
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I stepped from Plank to PlankSo slow and cautiously The Stars about my Head I felt, About my Feet the Sea.I knew not but the next Would be my final inch –This gave me that precarious GaitSome call Experience. Emily Dickinson
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This is the Hour of Lead — Remembered, if outlived, As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow — First — Chill — then Stupor — then the letting go — Emily Dickinson
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Mine Enemy is growing old --I have at last Revenge --The Palate of the Hate departs --If any would avenge Let him be quick -- the Viand flits --It is a faded Meat --Anger as soon as fed is dead --'Tis starving makes it fat Emily Dickinson
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I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day was warm, and winds were prosy; I said: "'T will keep." I woke and chid my honest fingers, – The gem was gone; And now an amethyst remembrance Is all I own. Emily Dickinson
To see the Summer SkyIs Poetry, though never in a...
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To see the Summer SkyIs Poetry, though never in a Book it lie– True Poems flee– Emily Dickinson
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Is Bliss then, such Abyss, I must not put my foot amiss For fear I spoil my shoe? I'd rather suit my foot Than save my Boot --For yet to buy another Pairis possible, At any store -- But Bliss, is sold just once. The Patent lost None buy it any more -- Emily Dickinson
Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye....
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Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye.... Emily Dickinson
If I feel physically as if the top of my...
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If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. Emily Dickinson
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I many times thought peace had come, When peace was far away; As wrecked men deem they sight the land At centre of the sea, And struggle slacker, but to prove, As hopelessly as I, How many the fictitious shores Before the harbor lie. Emily Dickinson
Success is counted sweetest by those ne'er succeed.
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Success is counted sweetest by those ne'er succeed. Emily Dickinson
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The worm doth woo the mortal, death claims a living bride, Night unto day is married, morn unto eventide, Earth a merry damsel, and heaven a knight so true, And Earth is quite coquettish, and beseemeth in vain to sue. Emily Dickinson
I have no life but this, To lead it here;...
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I have no life but this, To lead it here; Nor any death, but lest Dispelled from there; Nor tie to earths to come, Nor action new, Except through this extent, The realm of you. Emily Dickinson
Faith is a fine invention When gentlemen can see, But...
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Faith is a fine invention When gentlemen can see, But microscopes are prudent In an emergency. Emily Dickinson
The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind...
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The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind - Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson
THERE is no frigate like a book/ To take us...
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THERE is no frigate like a book/ To take us lands away... Emily Dickinson
There is no Frigate like a book.
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There is no Frigate like a book. Emily Dickinson
Look back on Time, with kindly eyes -He doubtless did...
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Look back on Time, with kindly eyes -He doubtless did his best -How softly sinks that trembling sun In Human Nature's West - Emily Dickinson
I know nothing in the world that has as much...
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I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine. Emily Dickinson
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A precious, mouldering pleasure 't is To meet an antique book In just the dress his century wore; A privilege, I think, His venerable hand to take, And warming in our own, A passage back, or two, to make To times when he was young. His quaint opinions to inspect, His knowledge to unfold On what concerns our mutual mind, The literature of old... Emily Dickinson
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We never know how high we are Till we are called to rise; And then, if we are true to plan, Our statures touch the skies. The heroism we recite Would be a daily thing, Did not ourselves the cubits warp For fear to be a king. Emily Dickinson
A letter always seemed to me like immortality because it...
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A letter always seemed to me like immortality because it is the mind alone without corporeal friend. Emily Dickinson
This is my letter to the world That never wrote...
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This is my letter to the world That never wrote to me Emily Dickinson
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Bless God, he went as soldiers, His musket on his breast– Grant God, he charge the bravest Of all the martial blest! Please God, might I behold him In epauletted white– I should not fear the foe then– I should not fear the fight! Emily Dickinson
Beauty is not caused. It is.
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Beauty is not caused. It is. Emily Dickinson
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So bashful when I spied her! So pretty ― so ashamed! So hidden in her leaflets Lest anybody find ―So breathless till I passed her ―So helpless when I turned And bore her struggling, blushing, Her simple haunts beyond! For whom I robbed the Dingle ―For whom betrayed the Dell ―Many, will doubtless ask me, But I shall never tell! Emily Dickinson
Not “Revelation” — tis — that waits But our unfurnished...
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Not “Revelation” — tis — that waits But our unfurnished eyes — Emily Dickinson
The Soul selects her own Society.
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The Soul selects her own Society. Emily Dickinson
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THE soul should always stand ajar, That if the heaven inquire, He will not be obliged to wait, Or shy of troubling her. Depart, before the host has slid The bolt upon the door, To seek for the accomplished guest, -- Her visitor no more. Emily Dickinson
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Nature is a haunted house--but Art--is a house that tries to be haunted. Emily Dickinson
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Water is taught by thirst; Land, by the oceans passed; Transport, by throe; Peace, by its battles told; Love, by memorial mould; Birds, by the snow. Emily Dickinson
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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. Emily Dickinson
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I felt a Funeral, in my Brain, And Mourners to and fro Kept treading — treading — till it seemed That Sense was breaking through — And when they all were seated, A Service, like a Drum — Kept beating — beating — till I thought My Mind was going numb — And then I heard them lift a BoxAnd creak across my SoulWith those same Boots of Lead, again, Then Space — began to toll, As all the Heavens were a Bell, And Being, but an Ear, And I, and Silence, some strange RaceWrecked, solitary, here — And then a Plank in Reason, broke, And I dropped down, and down — And hit a World, at every plunge, And Finished knowing — then — . Emily Dickinson
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And so I sing, as the Boy does by the Burying Ground — because I am afraid — Emily Dickinson
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Split the Lark–and you'll find the Music, Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled. Emily Dickinson
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Not with a club, the Heart is broken Nor with a Stone —A Whip so small you could not see it I've known Emily Dickinson
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I felt a Cleaving in my Mind–As if my Brain had split– I tried to match it– Seam by Seam–But could not make it fit. The thought behind, I strove to join Unto the thought before– But Sequence ravelled out of SoundLike Balls–upon a Floor. Emily Dickinson
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We both believe, and disbelieve a hundred times an hour, which keeps believing nimble. Emily Dickinson
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The Poets light but Lamps-Themselves-go out- Emily Dickinson
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Faith slips - and laughs, and rallies Emily Dickinson
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And I, could I stand by And see you freeze, Without my right of frost, Death's privilege? Emily Dickinson
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Heart, we will forget him! You and I, to-night! You may forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light. When you have done, pray tell me, That I my thoughts may dim; Haste! lest while you’re lagging, I may remember him! Emily Dickinson
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To lose what we never owned might seem an eccentric Bereavement but Presumption has its Affliction as actually as Claim -- Emily Dickinson
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When Jesus tells us about his Father, we distrust him. When he shows us his Home, we turn away, but when he confides to us that he is 'acquainted with Grief', we listen, for that also is an Acquaintance of our own. Emily Dickinson
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I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes;I wonder if It weighs like Mine, Or has an Easier size. Emily Dickinson
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The possible's slow fuse is lit by the Imagination. Emily Dickinson
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Your brain is wider than the sky Emily Dickinson
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We dream – it is good we are dreaming –It would hurt us – were we awake –But since it is playing – kill us, And we are playing – shriek –What harm? Men die – externally –It is a truth – of Blood –But we – are dying in Drama –And Drama – is never dead –Cautious – We jar each other –And either – open the eyes –Lest the Phantasm – prove the Mistake –And the livid SurpriseCool us to Shafts of Granite –With just an Age – and Name –And perhaps a phrase in Egyptian –It's prudenter – to dream – . Emily Dickinson
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But it is growing damp and I must go in. Memory’s fog is rising. Emily Dickinson
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To shut your eyes is to travel. Emily Dickinson
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I HIDE myself within my flower That wearing on your breast, You, unsuspecting, wear me too– And angels know the rest. I hide myself within my flower, That, fading from your vase, You, unsuspecting, feel for me Almost a loneliness... Emily Dickinson