Following

by Emily Dickinson · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

I had no cause to be awake,

      My best was gone to sleep,

And morn a new politeness took,

And failed to wake them up,


But called the others clear,

And passed their curtains by.

Sweet morning, when I over-sleep,

Knock, recollect, for me!


I looked at sunrise once,

And then I looked at them,

And wishfulness in me arose

For circumstance the same.


'T was such an ample peace,

It could not hold a sigh,—

'T was Sabbath with the bells divorced,

'T was sunset all the day.


So choosing but a gown

And taking but a prayer,

The only raiment I should need,

I struggled, and was there.

#emily dickinson #morning #religious ritual #sleep #solitude #spiritual longing

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