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Emily Dickinson - 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!

'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I,
Have ventured all upon a throw!
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so --
This side the Victory!

Life is but Life! And Death, but Death!
Bliss is, but Bliss, and Breath but Breath!
And if indeed I fail,
At least, to know the worst, is sweet!
Defeat means nothing but Defeat,
No drearier, can befall!

And if I gain! Oh Gun at Sea!
Oh Bells, that in the Steeples be!
At first, repeat it slow!
For Heaven is a different thing,
Conjectured, and waked sudden in --
And might extinguish me!

Added: on March 6th, 2005 at 10:37 AM | Viewed: 2943 times | Comments and analysis of 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy! by Emily Dickinson Comments (1)


'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy! - Comments and Information

Poet: Emily Dickinson
Poem: 172. 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!
Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Year: Published/Written in 1955

Comment 1 of 1, added on March 6th, 2005 at 10:37 AM.

This poem really made me think. It is a wonderful poem, and I hope others would enjoy it as much as I did. I think it's talking about failing, and when you do it shouldn't mean anything to you. But when you gain, you feel very enlightened. By the way I'm only 13 so, I'm really not sure. Bye!

Danielle from United States

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