Fear poems
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The Malay -- took the Pearl
© Emily Dickinson
The Malay -- took the Pearl --
Not -- I -- the Earl --
I -- feared the Sea -- too much
Unsanctified -- to touch --
The look of thee, what is it like
© Emily Dickinson
The look of thee, what is it like
Hast thou a hand or Foot
Or Mansion of Identity
And what is thy Pursuit?
The Loneliness One dare not sound --
© Emily Dickinson
The Loneliness One dare not sound --
And would as soon surmise
As in its Grave go plumbing
To ascertain the size --
The Heaven vests for Each
© Emily Dickinson
The Heaven vests for Each
In that small Deity
It craved the grace to worship
Some bashful Summer's Day --
The Frost was never seen --
© Emily Dickinson
The Frost was never seen --
If met, too rapid passed,
Or in too unsubstantial Team --
The Flowers notice first
The Day undressed -- Herself --
© Emily Dickinson
The Day undressed -- Herself --
Her Garter -- was of Gold --
Her Petticoat -- of Purple plain --
Her Dimities -- as old
Sweet Skepticism of the Heart --
© Emily Dickinson
Sweet Skepticism of the Heart --
That knows -- and does not know --
And tosses like a Fleet of Balm --
Affronted by the snow --
Perhaps they do not go so far
© Emily Dickinson
Perhaps they do not go so far
As we who stay, suppose --
Perhaps come closer, for the lapse
Of their corporeal clothes --
Not seeing, still we know --
© Emily Dickinson
Not seeing, still we know --
Not knowing, guess --
Not guessing, smile and hide
And half caress --
My Worthiness is all my Doubt --
© Emily Dickinson
My Worthiness is all my Doubt --
His Merit -- all my fear --
Contrasting which, my quality
Do lowlier -- appear --
Let my first Knowing be of thee
© Emily Dickinson
Let my first Knowing be of thee
With morning's warming Light --
And my first Fearing, lest Unknowns
Engulf thee in the night --
It was given to me by the Gods
© Emily Dickinson
It was given to me by the Gods --
When I was a little Girl --
They given us Presents most -- you know --
When we are new -- and small.
Is Bliss then, such Abyss,
© Emily Dickinson
Is Bliss then, such Abyss,
I must not put my foot amiss
For fear I spoil my shoe?
If He were living -- dare I ask --
© Emily Dickinson
If He were living -- dare I ask --
And how if He be dead --
And so around the Words I went --
Of meeting them -- afraid --
I sued the News -- yet feared -- the News
© Emily Dickinson
I sued the News -- yet feared -- the News
That such a Realm could be --
"The House not made with Hands" it was --
Thrown open wide to me --
I should have been too glad, I see
© Emily Dickinson
I should have been too glad, I see --
Too lifted -- for the scant degree
Of Life's penurious Round --
My little Circuit would have shamed
This new Circumference -- have blamed --
The homelier time behind.
I lived on Dread --
© Emily Dickinson
I lived on Dread --
To Those who know
The Stimulus there is
In Danger -- Other impetus
Is numb -- and Vitalless --
I cried at Pity -- not at Pain --
© Emily Dickinson
I cried at Pity -- not at Pain --
I heard a Woman say
"Poor Child" -- and something in her voice
Convicted me -- of me --
For this -- accepted Breath
© Emily Dickinson
For this -- accepted Breath --
Through it -- compete with Death --
The fellow cannot touch this Crown --
By it -- my title take --
Ah, what a royal sake
To my necessity -- stooped down!
Climbing to reach the costly Hearts
© Emily Dickinson
Climbing to reach the costly Hearts
To which he gave the worth,
He broke them, fearing punishment
He ran away from Earth --
