A solemn thing it was I said

by Emily Dickinson

A solemn thing — it was — I said —
A woman — white — to be —
And wear — if God should count me fit —
Her hallowed mystery —

A hallowed thing — to drop a life
Into the purple well —
Too plummetless — that it return —
Eternity — until —

I pondered how the bliss would look —
And would it feel as big —
When I could take it in my hand —
As hovering — seen — through fog —

And then — the size of this "small" life —
The Sages — call it small —
Swelled — like Horizons — in my vest —
And I sneered — softly — "small"!


Monadnock Valley Press > Dickinson