Tuesday, May 08, 2007
from Emily Dickinson * :
533 (569)
I reckon -- When I count at all First -- Poets -- Then the Sun -- Then Summer -- Then the Heaven of God -- And then -- the List is done --
But, looking back -- the First so seems To Comprehend the Whole -- The Others look a needless Show -- So I write -- Poets -- All --
Their Summer -- lasts a solid Year -- They can afford a Sun The East -- would deem extravagant -- And if the Further Heaven --
Be Beautiful as they prepare For Those who worship Them -- It is too difficult a Grace -- To Justify the Dream --
(1863) (1929)
* Norton Anthology of Poetry, eds. Margaret Ferguson et al (New York, 2005), 1122.
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