I Years had been from Home

Emily Dickinson· 1830 – 1886· American

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I Years had been from Home

Emily Dickinson

And now before the Door

I dared not enter, lest a Face

I never saw before

Stare solid into mine

And ask my Business there --

"My Business but a Life I left

Was such remaining there?"

I leaned upon the Awe --

I lingered with Before --

The Second like an Ocean rolled

And broke against my ear --

I laughed a crumbling Laugh

That I could fear a Door

Who Consternation compassed

And never winced before.

I fitted to the Latch

My Hand, with trembling care

Lest back the awful Door should spring

And leave me in the Floor --

Then moved my Fingers off

As cautiously as Glass

And held my ears, and like a Thief

Fled gasping from the House --

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Public domain text via the PoetryDB open archive.

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I Years had been from Home