Emily Dickinson: To Make a Prairie

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
one clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
if bees are few.

Emily Dickinson: A Book

There is no frigate like a
book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the
poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

Emily Dickinson: Not in Vain

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson: After great pain, a formal feeling comes

After great pain, a formal feeling comes --
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs --
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round --
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought --
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone --

This is the Hour of Lead --
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow --
First -- Chill -- then Stupor -- then the letting go -- 

Emily Dickinson: A word is dead

A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.

I say it just
Begins to live
That day. 

Emily Dickinson: It Dropped So Low -- In My Regard --

It dropped so low -- in my Regard --
I heard it hit the Ground --
And go to pieces on the Stones
At bottom of my Mind --

Yet blamed the Fate that flung it -- less
Than I denounced Myself,
For entertaining Plated Wares
Upon My Silver Shelf --