I never lost as much but twice,
And that was in the sod.
Twice have I stood a beggar
Before the door of God!
Angels-twice desending
Reimbursed my store-
Burglar! Banker-Father!
I am poor once more!
1858
Wild Nights-Wild Nights!
Were I with thee
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!
Futile-the Winds-
To a heart in port-
Done with the Compass-
Done with the Chart!
Rowing in Eden-
Ah, the Sea!
Might I but moor-Tonight-
In Thee!
1861
Much Madness is divinest Sense-
To a discerning Eye-
Much Sense-the starkest Madness-
'Tis the Majority
In this, as All, prevail-
Assent-and you are sane-
Demur-you're straightwat dangerous-
And handled with a Chain-
1862
I showed her Hights she never saw-
"Would'st Climb," I said?
She said-"Not so"-
"With me-" I said-With me?
I showed her Secrets-Morning's Nest-
The Rope the Nights were put across-
And now-"Would'st have me for a Guest?"
She could not find her Yes-
And then, I brake my life-And Lo,
A Light, for her, did solemn glow,
The larger, as her face withdrew-
And could she, further, "No?"
1862
One need not be a Chamber-to be Haunted-
One need not be a House-
The Brain has Corridors-surpassing
Material Place-
Far safer, of a Midnight Meeting
External Ghost
Than it's interior Confronting-
That Cooler Host.
Far safer, through an Abbey gallop,
The Stones a' chase-
Than Unarmed, one's a'self encounter-
In lonesome Place-
Ourself behind ourself, concealed-
Should startle most-
Assassin hid our Apartment
Be Horror's least.
The Body-borrows a Revolver-
He bolts the Door-
O'er looking a superior spectre-
Or More-
1863
Emily Dickenson
