Poem A Day

When I hoped, I recollect

by Emily Dickinson

When I hoped, I recollect

Just the place I stood --

At a Window facing West --

Roughest Air -- was good --

Not a Sleet could bite me --

Not a frost could cool --

Hope it was that kept me warm --

Not Merino shawl --

When I feared -- I recollect

Just the Day it was --

Worlds were lying out to Sun --

Yet how Nature froze --

Icicles upon my soul

Prickled Blue and Cool --

Bird went praising everywhere --

Only Me -- was still --

And the Day that I despaired --

This -- if I forget

Nature will -- that it be Night

After Sun has set --

Darkness intersect her face --

And put out her eye --

Nature hesitate -- before

Memory and I --

Text and source

Rights
Public domain
Source
View original source

Poem A Day

One poem today. Another tomorrow.

Save this poem to your personal anthology and build a reading streak with a new classic each day.