Emily Dickinson Poems

A collection of select Emily Dickinson famous poems that were written by Emily Dickinson or written about the poet by other famous poets. PoetrySoup is a comprehensive educational resource of the greatest poems and poets on history.

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Twas Crisis -- All the length had passed --

by Emily Dickinson
 'Twas Crisis -- All the length had passed --
That dull -- benumbing time
There is in Fever or Event --
And now the Chance had come --

The instant holding in its claw
The privilege to live
Or warrant to report the Soul
The other side the Grave.

The Muscles grappled as with leads
That would not let the Will --
The Spirit shook the Adamant --
But could...Read more of this...

The Things that never can come back are several --

by Emily Dickinson
 The Things that never can come back, are several --
Childhood -- some forms of Hope -- the Dead --
Though Joys -- like Men -- may sometimes make a Journey --
And still abide --
We do not mourn for Traveler, or Sailor,
Their Routes are fair --
But think enlarged of all that they will tell us
Returning here --
"Here!" There are typic "Heres"...Read more of this...

The Souls distinct connection

by Emily Dickinson
 The Soul's distinct connection
With immortality
Is best disclosed by Danger
Or quick Calamity --

As Lightning on a Landscape
Exhibits Sheets of Place --
Not yet suspected -- but for Flash --
And Click -- and Suddenness....Read more of this...

Faith -- is the Pierless Bridge

by Emily Dickinson
 Faith -- is the Pierless Bridge
Supporting what We see
Unto the Scene that We do not --
Too slender for the eye

It bears the Soul as bold
As it were rocked in Steel
With Arms of Steel at either side --
It joins -- behind the Veil

To what, could We presume
The Bridge would cease to be
To Our far, vacillating Feet
A first Necessity....Read more of this...

When Roses cease to bloom Sir

by Emily Dickinson
 When Roses cease to bloom, Sir,
And Violets are done --
When Bumblebees in solemn flight
Have passed beyond the Sun --
The hand that paused to gather
Upon this Summer's day
Will idle lie -- in Auburn --
Then take my flowers -- pray!...Read more of this...

My Seasons furthest Flower --

by Emily Dickinson
 My Season's furthest Flower --
I tenderer commend
Because I found Her Kinsmanless,
A Grace without a Friend....Read more of this...

How destitute is he

by Emily Dickinson
 How destitute is he
Whose Gold is firm
Who finds it every time
The small stale Sum --
When Love with but a Pence
Will so display
As is a disrespect
To India....Read more of this...

We miss a Kinsman more

by Emily Dickinson
 We miss a Kinsman more
When warranted to see
Than when withheld of Oceans
From possibility

A Furlong than a League
Inflicts a pricklier pain,
Till We, who smiled at Pyrenees --
Of Parishes, complain....Read more of this...

I had not minded -- Walls

by Emily Dickinson
 I had not minded -- Walls --
Were Universe -- one Rock --
And far I heard his silver Call
The other side the Block --

I'd tunnel -- till my Groove
Pushed sudden thro' to his --
Then my face take her Recompense --
The looking in his Eyes --

But 'tis a single Hair --
A filament -- a law --
A Cobweb -- wove in Adamant...Read more of this...

On this wondrous sea

by Emily Dickinson
 On this wondrous sea
Sailing silently,
Ho! Pilot, ho!
Knowest thou the shore
Where no breakers roar --
Where the storm is o'er?

In the peaceful west
Many the sails at rest --
The anchors fast --
Thither I pilot thee --
Land Ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!...Read more of this...

Aurora is the effort

by Emily Dickinson
 Aurora is the effort
Of the Celestial Face
Unconsciousness of Perfectness
To simulate, to Us....Read more of this...

Take all away from me but leave me Ecstasy

by Emily Dickinson
 Take all away from me, but leave me Ecstasy,
And I am richer then than all my Fellow Men --
Ill it becometh me to dwell so wealthily
When at my very Door are those possessing more,
In abject poverty --...Read more of this...

I many times thought Peace had come

by 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 be --...Read more of this...

Had we known the Ton she bore

by Emily Dickinson
 Had we known the Ton she bore
We had helped the terror
But she straighter walked for Freight
So be hers the error --...Read more of this...

Awake ye muses nine

by Emily Dickinson
 Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine,
Unwind the solemn twine, and tie my Valentine!

Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain,
For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain.
All things do go a courting, in earth, or sea, or air,
God hath made nothing single but thee in His world so fair!
The bride,...Read more of this...

March is the Month of Expectation

by Emily Dickinson
 March is the Month of Expectation.
The things we do not know --
The Persons of prognostication
Are coming now --
We try to show becoming firmness --
But pompous Joy
Betrays us, as his first Betrothal
Betrays a Boy....Read more of this...

Who has not found the Heaven -- below --

by Emily Dickinson
 Who has not found the Heaven -- below --
Will fail of it above --
For Angels rent the House next ours,
Wherever we remove --...Read more of this...

Where Ships of Purple -- gently toss

by Emily Dickinson
 Where Ships of Purple -- gently toss --
On Seas of Daffodil --
Fantastic Sailors -- mingle --
And then -- the Wharf is still!...Read more of this...

Now I lay thee down to Sleep --

by Emily Dickinson
 Now I lay thee down to Sleep --
I pray the Lord thy Dust to keep --
And if thou live before thou wake --
I pray the Lord thy Soul to make --...Read more of this...

How happy I was if I could forget

by Emily Dickinson
 How happy I was if I could forget
To remember how sad I am
Would be an easy adversity
But the recollecting of Bloom

Keeps making November difficult
Till I who was almost bold
Lose my way like a little Child
And perish of the cold....Read more of this...

The power to be true to You

by Emily Dickinson
 The power to be true to You,
Until upon my face
The Judgment push his Picture --
Presumptuous of Your Place --

Of This -- Could Man deprive Me --
Himself -- the Heaven excel --
Whose invitation -- Yours reduced
Until it showed too small --...Read more of this...

It might be lonelier

by Emily Dickinson
 It might be lonelier
Without the Loneliness --
I'm so accustomed to my Fate --
Perhaps the Other -- Peace --

Would interrupt the Dark --
And crowd the little Room --
Too scant -- by Cubits -- to contain
The Sacrament -- of Him --

I am not used to Hope --
It might intrude upon --
Its sweet parade -- blaspheme the place --
Ordained to Suffering --

It...Read more of this...

The most pathetic thing I do

by Emily Dickinson
 The most pathetic thing I do
Is play I hear from you --
I make believe until my Heart
Almost believes it too
But when I break it with the news
You knew it was not true
I wish I had not broken it --
Goliah -- so would you --...Read more of this...

I send you a decrepit flower

by Emily Dickinson
 I send you a decrepit flower
That nature sent to me
At parting -- she was going south
And I designed to stay --

Her motive for the souvenir
If sentiment for me
Or circumstances prudential
Withheld invincibly --...Read more of this...

There is a word

by Emily Dickinson
 There is a word
Which bears a sword
Can pierce an armed man --
It hurls its barbed syllables
And is mute again --
But where it fell
The saved will tell
On patriotic day,
Some epauletted Brother
Gave his breath away.

Wherever runs the breathless sun --
Wherever roams the day --
There is its noiseless onset --
There is its victory!
Behold the keenest marksman!
The most accomplished shot!
Time's sublimest target
Is a...Read more of this...

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