3 Quotes About Emily Dickinson

Till I loved I never lived. Emily Dickinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inebriate of Air – am I –And Debauchee of Dew –Reeling – thro endless summer days –From Inns of Molten Blue – Emily Dickinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nature is a haunted house--but Art--is a house that tries to be haunted. Emily Dickinson

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

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

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

And so I sing, as the Boy does by the Burying Ground — because I am afraid — Emily Dickinson

Split the Lark–and you'll find the Music, Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled. Emily Dickinson

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

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

We both believe, and disbelieve a hundred times an hour, which keeps believing nimble. Emily Dickinson

The Poets light but Lamps-Themselves-go out- Emily Dickinson

Faith slips - and laughs, and rallies Emily Dickinson

And I, could I stand by And see you freeze, Without my right of frost, Death's privilege? Emily Dickinson

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

To lose what we never owned might seem an eccentric Bereavement but Presumption has its Affliction as actually as Claim -- Emily Dickinson

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

I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes;I wonder if It weighs like Mine, Or has an Easier size. Emily Dickinson

The possible's slow fuse is lit by the Imagination. Emily Dickinson

Your brain is wider than the sky Emily Dickinson

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

But it is growing damp and I must go in. Memory’s fog is rising. Emily Dickinson

To shut your eyes is to travel. Emily Dickinson

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