I Felt My Life With Both My Hands

felt my life with both my hands

 I felt my life with both my hands

To see if it was there—

I held my spirit to the Glass,

To prove it possibler—

 I turned my Being round and round

And paused at every pound

To ask the Owner's name—

For doubt, that I should know the Sound—

 I judged my features—jarred my hair—

I pushed my dimples by, and waited—

If they—twinkled back—

Conviction might, of me—

 I told myself, "Take Courage, Friend—

That—was a former time—

But we might learn to like the Heaven,

As well as our Old Home!"

Emily Dickinson

I must point out here that Carla Bruni (married to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy) recorded a song last year with this poem as lyrics here.

More Emily Dickinson

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/03/currer-bell-emily-dickinson-charlotte.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/03/and-zero-at-bone-with-dirks-of-melody.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/05/charm-invests-her-face.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/tell-truth-but-tell-it-slant.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/theres-certain-slant-of-light.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/then-mashes-it-to-death.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/adjusted-to-tomb.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/i-could-not-see-to-see.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/06/blonde-assasin-passes-on.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/12/dirk-commemorate-itself.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/12/lawful-as-equilibrium.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/12/there-is-no-frigate-like-book.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2011/12/light-is-sufficient-to-itself.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2012/11/thanatos-two-tiny-rhododendrons.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2012/12/you-almost-bathed-your-tongue.html

http://blog.alexwaterhousehayward.com/2013/09/the-belle-of-amherst-i-heard-fly-buzz.html