E-Text

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part One: Life 62. Before I got my eye put out

SIGHT.


Before I got my eye put out,

I liked as well to see

As other creatures that have eyes,

And know no other way.


But were it told to me, to-day,

That I might have the sky

For mine, I tell you that my heart

Would split, for size of me.


The meadows mine, the mountains mine, --

All forests, stintless stars,

As much of noon as I could take

Between my finite eyes.


The motions of the dipping birds,

The lightning's jointed road,

For mine to look at when I liked, --

The news would strike me dead!


So safer, guess, with just my soul

Upon the window-pane

Where other creatures put their eyes,

Incautious of the sun.

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…