Death poems
/ page 551 of 560 /
They put Us far apart
© Emily Dickinson
They put Us far apart --
As separate as Sea
And Her unsown Peninsula --
We signified "These see" --
The Test of Love -- is Death --
© Emily Dickinson
The Test of Love -- is Death --
Our Lord -- "so loved" -- it saith --
What Largest Lover -- hath
Another -- doth --
The Province of the Saved
© Emily Dickinson
The Province of the Saved
Should be the Art -- To save --
Through Skill obtained in Themselves --
The Science of the Grave
The overtakelessness of those
© Emily Dickinson
The overtakelessness of those
Who have accomplished Death
Majestic is to me beyond
The majesties of Earth.
The Manner of its Death
© Emily Dickinson
The Manner of its Death
When Certain it must die --
'Tis deemed a privilege to choose --
'Twas Major Andre's Way --
The Frost of Death was on the Pane --
© Emily Dickinson
The Frost of Death was on the Pane --
"Secure your Flower" said he.
Like Sailors fighting with a Leak
We fought Mortality.
The first We knew of Him was Death --
© Emily Dickinson
The first We knew of Him was Death --
The second -- was -- Renown --
Except the first had justified
The second had not been.
That this should feel the need of Death
© Emily Dickinson
That this should feel the need of Death
The same as those that lived
Is such a Feat of Irony
As never was -- achieved --
That short -- potential stir
© Emily Dickinson
That short -- potential stir
That each can make but once --
That Bustle so illustrious
'Tis almost Consequence --
Tell as a Marksman -- were forgotten
© Emily Dickinson
Tell as a Marksman -- were forgotten
Tell -- this Day endures
Ruddy as that coeval Apple
The Tradition bears --
Sweet -- safe -- Houses
© Emily Dickinson
Sweet -- safe -- Houses --
Glad -- gay -- Houses --
Sealed so stately tight --
Lids of Steel -- on Lids of Marble --
Locking Bare feet out --
Suspense -- is Hostiler than Death --
© Emily Dickinson
Suspense -- is Hostiler than Death --
Death -- tho'soever Broad,
Is Just Death, and cannot increase --
Suspense -- does not conclude --
Step lightly on this narrow spot --
© Emily Dickinson
Step lightly on this narrow spot --
The broadest Land that grows
Is not so ample as the Breast
These Emerald Seams enclose.
Said Death to Passion
© Emily Dickinson
Said Death to Passion
"Give of thine an Acre unto me."
Said Passion, through contracting Breaths
"A Thousand Times Thee Nay."
Robbed by Death -- but that was easy --
© Emily Dickinson
Robbed by Death -- but that was easy --
To the failing Eye
I could hold the latest Glowing --
Robbed by Liberty
Promise This -- When You be Dying --
© Emily Dickinson
Promise This -- When You be Dying --
Some shall summon Me --
Mine belong Your latest Sighing --
Mine -- to Belt Your Eye --
Perhaps you think me stooping
© Emily Dickinson
Perhaps you think me stooping
I'm not ashamed of that
Christ -- stooped until He touched the Grave --
Do those at Sacrament
Pain has but one Acquaintance
© Emily Dickinson
Pain has but one Acquaintance
And that is Death --
Each one unto the other
Society enough.
One Joy of so much anguish
© Emily Dickinson
One Joy of so much anguish
Sweet nature has for me
I shun it as I do Despair
Or dear iniquity --
One and One -- are One --
© Emily Dickinson
One and One -- are One --
Two -- be finished using --
Well enough for Schools --
But for Minor Choosing --
