E-Text

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part One: Life 127. The bone that has no marrow

The bone that has no marrow;

What ultimate for that?

It is not fit for table,

For beggar, or for cat.


A bone has obligations,

A being has the same;

A marrowless assembly

Is culpabler than shame.


But how shall finished creatures

A function fresh obtain? --

Old Nicodemus' phantom

Confronting us again!

Study Guide for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems study guide contains a biography of Emily Dickinson, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems…

Essays for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Emily Dickinson's poems.

View our essays for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems…

Wikipedia Entries for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems

View Wikipedia Entries for Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems…