I keep my pledge (by Emily Dickinson)

I keep my pledge.
I was not called —
Death did not notice me.
I bring my Rose —
I plight again —
By every sainted Bee —
By Daisy called from hillside —
by Bobolink from lane —
Blossom and I —
Her oath, and mine —
Will surely come again.

[1859]

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There’s something quieter than sleep (by Emily Dickinson)

There’s something quieter than sleep
Within this inner room!
It wears a sprig upon its breast —
And will not tell its name.

Some touch it, and some kiss it —
Some chafe its idle hand —
It has a simple gravity
I do not understand!

I would not weep if I were they —
How rude in one to sob!
Might scare the quiet fairy
Back to her native wood!

While simple-hearted neighbors
Chat of the “Early dead” —
We — prone to periphrasis
Remark that Birds have fled!

[1859]

My wheel is in the dark (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

My wheel is in the dark!
I cannot see a spoke
Yet know its dripping feet
Go round and round.

My foot is on the Tide!
An unfrequented road –
Yet have all roads
A clearing at the end –

Some have resigned the Loom –
Some in the busy tomb
Find quaint employ –

Some with new – stately feet –
Pass royal through the gate –
Flinging the problem back
At you and I!

*

If she had been the Mistletoe (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

If she had been the Mistletoe
And I had been the Rose —
How gay upon your table
My velvet life to close —
Since I am of the Druid,
And she is of the dew —
I’ll deck Tradition’s buttonhole —
And send the Rose to you.

*

Could live — did live (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

Could live — did live —
Could die — did die —
Could smile opon the whole
Through faith in one he met not —
To introduce his soul —

Could go from scene familiar
To an untraversed spot —
Could contemplate the journey
With unpuzzled heart —

Such trust had one among us,
Among us not today —
We who saw the launching
Never sailed the Bay!

*

A Day! Help! Help! (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

A Day! Help! Help!
Another Day!
Your prayers — Oh Passer by!
From such a common ball as this
Might date a Victory!
From marshallings as simple
The flags of nations swang.
Steady — my soul! What issues
Upon thine arrow hang!

*

Who robbed the Woods (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

Who robbed the Woods —
The trusting Woods?

The unsuspecting Trees

Brought out their Burs and Mosses —
His fantasy to please –

He scanned their trinkets — curious –

He grasped — he bore away –

What will the solemn Hemlock —
What will the Fir-tree — say?

*

I’ve got an arrow here (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

I’ve got an arrow here.
Loving the hand that sent it
I the dart revere.

Fell, they will say, in “skirmish”!
Vanquished, my soul will know
By but a simple arrow
Sped by an archer’s bow.

*

To venerate the simple days (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

To venerate the simple days
Which lead the seasons by–
Needs but to remember
That from you or I,
They may take the trifle
Termed mortality!

To invest existence with a stately air–
Needs but to remember
That the Acorn there
Is the egg of forests
For the upper Air!

*

“Lethe” in my flower (by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson 

[1859]

“Lethe” in my flower,
Of which they who drink,
In the fadeless Orchards
Hear the bobolink!

Merely flake or petal
As the Eye beholds
Jupiter! my father!
I perceive the rose!

*