E-Text

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part One: Life 81. I know that he exists

I know that he exists

Somewhere, in silence.

He has hid his rare life

From our gross eyes.


'T is an instant's play,

'T is a fond ambush,

Just to make bliss

Earn her own surprise!


But should the play

Prove piercing earnest,

Should the glee glaze

In death's stiff stare,


Would not the fun

Look too expensive?

Would not the jest

Have crawled too far?

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…