Death poems

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On this long storm the Rainbow rose

© Emily Dickinson

On this long storm the Rainbow rose --
On this late Morn -- the Sun --
The clouds -- like listless Elephants --
Horizons -- straggled down --

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Of Death I try to think like this --

© Emily Dickinson

Of Death I try to think like this --
The Well in which they lay us
Is but the Likeness of the Brook
That menaced not to slay us,

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None who saw it ever told it

© Emily Dickinson

None who saw it ever told it
'Tis as hid as Death
Had for that specific treasure
A departing breath --

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My Portion is Defeat -- today --

© Emily Dickinson

My Portion is Defeat -- today --
A paler luck than Victory --
Less Paeans -- fewer Bells --
The Drums don't follow Me -- with tunes --
Defeat -- a somewhat slower -- means --
More Arduous than Balls --

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Love -- is that later Thing than Death --

© Emily Dickinson

Love -- is that later Thing than Death --
More previous -- than Life --
Confirms it at its entrance -- And
Usurps it -- of itself --

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Life, and Death, and Giants --

© Emily Dickinson

Life, and Death, and Giants --
Such as These -- are still --
Minor -- Apparatus -- Hopper of the Mill --
Beetle at the Candle --
Or a Fife's Fame --
Maintain -- by Accident that they proclaim --

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Life -- is what we make of it --

© Emily Dickinson

Life -- is what we make of it --
Death -- we do not know --
Christ's acquaintance with Him
Justify Him -- though --

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Let down the Bars, Oh Death --

© Emily Dickinson

Let down the Bars, Oh Death --
The tired Flocks come in
Whose bleating ceases to repeat
Whose wandering is done --

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Lay this Laurel on the One

© Emily Dickinson

Lay this Laurel on the One
Too intrinsic for Renown --
Laurel -- veil your deathless tree --
Him you chasten, that is He!

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It came at last but prompter Death

© Emily Dickinson

It came at last but prompter Death
Had occupied the House --
His pallid Furniture arranged
And his metallic Peace --

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It always felt to me -- a wrong

© Emily Dickinson

It always felt to me -- a wrong
To that Old Moses -- done --
To let him see -- the Canaan --
Without the entering --

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In falling Timbers buried --

© Emily Dickinson

In falling Timbers buried --
There breathed a Man --
Outside -- the spades -- were plying --
The Lungs -- within --

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If I may have it, when it's dead,

© Emily Dickinson

If I may have it, when it's dead,
I'll be contented -- so --
If just as soon as Breath is out
It shall belong to me --

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I've dropped my Brain -- My Soul is numb --

© Emily Dickinson

I've dropped my Brain -- My Soul is numb --
The Veins that used to run
Stop palsied -- 'tis Paralysis
Done perfecter on stone

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I watched the Moon around the House

© Emily Dickinson

I watched the Moon around the House
Until upon a Pane --
She stopped -- a Traveller's privilege -- for Rest --
And there upon

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I tried to think a lonelier Thing

© Emily Dickinson

I tried to think a lonelier Thing
Than any I had seen --
Some Polar Expiation -- An Omen in the Bone
Of Death's tremendous nearness --

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I read my sentence -- steadily

© Emily Dickinson

I read my sentence -- steadily --
Reviewed it with my eyes,
To see that I made no mistake
In its extremest clause --

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I meant to find Her when I came --

© Emily Dickinson

I meant to find Her when I came --
Death -- had the same design --
But the Success -- was His -- it seems --
And the Surrender -- Mine --

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I live with Him -- I see His face

© Emily Dickinson

I live with Him -- I see His face --
I go no more away
For Visitor -- or Sundown --
Death's single privacy

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I did not reach Thee

© Emily Dickinson

I did not reach Thee
But my feet slip nearer every day
Three Rivers and a Hill to cross
One Desert and a Sea
I shall not count the journey one
When I am telling thee.