Emily Dickinson

Classic Poetry Series Emily Dickinson - poems - Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: PoemHunter.Com - The World's Poetry Archive Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, the daughter of a lawyer. She was educated at Amherst Academy (1834-47) and Mount Holyoake (1847-8). In her early years she appears to have been a bright and sociable young scholar, but in her twenties she began to withdraw from the outside world. By her forties she had become a complete recluse, refusing to leave her house and shunning all contact with strangers. A mystic by inclination, she wrote much in secret, producing over two thousand poems, only seven of which are known to have been published in her lifetime. Her personal life remains something of a mystery although there is the possibility that her seclusion might have been prompted by a failed love affair. Her work certainly reflects a deep inner struggle spanning many years and her verse is full of powerful allusions to storms, volcanic eruptions and imprisonment. www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 2 "Arcturus" is his other name 70 "Arcturus" is his other name— I'd rather call him "Star." It's very mean of Science To go and interfere! I slew a worm the other day— A "Savant" passing by Murmured "Resurgam"—"Centipede"! "Oh Lord—how frail are we"! I pull a flower from the woods— A monster with a glass Computes the stamens in a breath— And has her in a "class"! Whereas I took the Butterfly Aforetime in my hat— He sits erect in "Cabinets"— The Clover bells forgot. What once was "Heaven" Is "Zenith" now— Where I proposed to go When Time's brief masquerade was done Is mapped and charted too. What if the poles should frisk about And stand upon their heads! I hope I'm ready for "the worst"— Whatever prank betides! Perhaps the "Kingdom of Heaven's" changed— I hope the "Children" there Won't be "new fashioned" when I come— And laugh at me—and stare— I hope the Father in the skies Will lift his little girl— Old fashioned—naught—everything— Over the stile of "Pearl." Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 3 "Faith" is a fine invention 185 "Faith" is a fine invention When Gentlemen can see— But Microscopes are prudent In an Emergency. Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 4 "Heaven" has different Signs—to me 575 "Heaven" has different Signs—to me— Sometimes, I think that Noon Is but a symbol of the Place— And when again, at Dawn, A mighty look runs round the World And settles in the Hills— An Awe if it should be like that Upon the Ignorance steals— The Orchard, when the Sun is on— The Triumph of the Birds When they together Victory make— Some Carnivals of Clouds— The Rapture of a finished Day— Returning to the West— All these—remind us of the place That Men call "paradise"— Itself be fairer—we suppose— But how Ourself, shall be Adorned, for a Superior Grace— Not yet, our eyes can see— Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 5 "Heaven"—is what I cannot reach! 239 "Heaven"—is what I cannot reach! The Apple on the Tree— Provided it do hopeless—hang— That—"Heaven" is—to Me! The Color, on the Cruising Cloud— The interdicted Land— Behind the Hill—the House behind— There—Paradise—is found! Her teasing Purples—Afternoons— The credulous—decoy— Enamored—of the Conjuror— That spurned us—Yesterday! Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 6 "Hope" is the thing with feathers 254 "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 chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me. Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 7 "Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me 127 "Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me— "Mansions"! Mansions must be warm! Mansions cannot let the tears in, Mansions must exclude the storm! "Many Mansions," by "his Father," I don't know him; snugly built! Could the Children find the way there— Some, would even trudge tonight! Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 8 "I want"—it pleaded—All its life 731 "I want"—it pleaded—All its life— I want—was chief it said When Skill entreated it—the last— And when so newly dead— I could not deem it late—to hear That single—steadfast sigh— The lips had placed as with a "Please" Toward Eternity— Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 9 "Morning"—means "Milking"—to the Farmer 300 "Morning"—means "Milking"—to the Farmer— Dawn—to the Teneriffe— Dice—to the Maid— Morning means just Risk—to the Lover— Just revelation—to the Beloved— Epicures—date a Breakfast—by it— Brides—an Apocalypse— Worlds—a Flood— Faint-going Lives—Their Lapse from Sighing— Faith—The Experiment of Our Lord Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 10 "Nature" is what we see 668 "Nature" is what we see— The Hill—the Afternoon— Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee— Nay—Nature is Heaven— Nature is what we hear— The Bobolink—the Sea— Thunder—the Cricket— Nay—Nature is Harmony— Nature is what we know— Yet have no art to say— So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 11 "Speech"—is a prank of Parliament 688 "Speech"—is a prank of Parliament— "Tears"—is a trick of the nerve— But the Heart with the heaviest freight on— Doesn't—always—move— Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 12 "They have not chosen me," he said 85 "They have not chosen me," he said, "But I have chosen them!" Brave—Broken hearted statement— Uttered in Bethlehem! I could not have told it, But since Jesus dared— Sovereign! Know a Daisy They dishonor shared! Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 13 "Unto Me?" I do not know you 964 "Unto Me?" I do not know you— Where may be your House? "I am Jesus—Late of Judea— Now—of Paradise"— Wagons—have you—to convey me? This is far from Thence— "Arms of Mine—sufficient Phaeton— Trust Omnipotence"— I am spotted—"I am Pardon"— I am small—"The Least Is esteemed in Heaven the Chiefest— Occupy my House"— Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 14 "Why do I love" You, Sir? 480 "Why do I love" You, Sir? Because— The Wind does not require the Grass To answer—Wherefore when He pass She cannot keep Her place. Because He knows—and Do not You— And We know not— Enough for Us The Wisdom it be so— The Lightning—never asked an Eye Wherefore it shut—when He was by— Because He knows it cannot speak— And reasons not contained— —Of Talk— There be—preferred by Daintier Folk— The Sunrise—Sire—compelleth Me— Because He's Sunrise—and I see— Therefore—Then— I love Thee— Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 15 A Bird Came Down A bird came down the walk: He did not know I saw; He bit an angle-worm in halves And ate the fellow, raw. And then he drank a dew From a convenient grass, And then hopped sidewise to the wall To let a beetle pass. He glanced with rapid eyes That hurried all abroad,-- They looked like frightened beads, I thought; He stirred his velvet head Like one in danger; cautious, I offered him a crumb, And he unrolled his feathers And rowed him softer home Than oars divide the ocean, Too silver for a seam, Or butterflies, off banks of noon, Leap, splashless, as they swim. Emily Dickinson www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 16 A Bird came down the Walk 328 A Bird came down the Walk— He did not know I saw— He bit an angle-worm in halves And ate the fellow, raw, And then he drank a Dew From a convenient Grass, And then hopped sidewise to the Wall To let a Beetle pass— He glanced with rapid eyes That hurried all abroa— They looked like frightened Beads, I thought— He stirred his velvet head Like one in danger, Cautious, I offered him a Crumb, And he unrolled his feathers And rowed him softer home— Than Oars divide the Ocean, Too silver for a seam— Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon, Leap, plashless as they swim.

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