The Test

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

ICAN wade grief,

Whole pools of it,—

I'm used to that.

But the least push of joy

Breaks up my feet,

And I tip—drunken.

Let no pebble smile,

'T was the new liquor,—

That was all!


Power is only pain,

Stranded, through discipline,

Till weights will hang.

Give balm to giants,

And they'll wilt, like men.

Give Himmaleh,—

They'll carry him!

#burden #discipline #emily dickinson #existential struggle #grief #resilience

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