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Emily Dickinson
We knew not that we were to live —
by Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) English
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We knew not that we were to live —
Nor when — we are to die —
Our ignorance — our cuirass is —
We wear Mortality
As lightly as an Option Gown
Till asked to take it off —
By his intrusion, God is known —
It is the same with Life —
Source: Wikisource
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More poems by Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death—
He kindly stopped for me—
The Carriage held but just Ourselves— …
There is a pain — so utter —
It swallows substance up —
Then covers the Abyss with Trance — …
A charm invests a face
Imperfectly beheld.
The lady dare not lift her veil …
There came a Wind like a Bugle —
It quivered through the Grass
And a Green Chill upon the Heat …
All poems by Emily Dickinson → · More English poems →