I measure every Grief I meet - A poem by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson - I measure every Grief I meet

I measure every Grief I meet
With narrow, probing, Eyes --
I wonder if It weighs like Mine --
Or has an Easier size.

I wonder if They bore it long --
Or did it just begin --
I could not tell the Date of Mine --
It feels so old a pain --

I wonder if it hurts to live --
And if They have to try --
And whether -- could They choose between --
It would not be -- to die --

I note that Some -- gone patient long --
At length, renew their smile --
An imitation of a Light
That has so little Oil --

I wonder if when Years have piled --
Some Thousands -- on the Harm --
That hurt them early -- such a lapse
Could give them any Balm --

Or would they go on aching still
Through Centuries of Nerve --
Enlightened to a larger Pain -
In Contrast with the Love --

The Grieved -- are many -- I am told --
There is the various Cause --
Death -- is but one -- and comes but once --
And only nails the eyes --

There's Grief of Want -- and Grief of Cold --
A sort they call "Despair" --
There's Banishment from native Eyes --
In sight of Native Air --

And though I may not guess the kind --
Correctly -- yet to me
A piercing Comfort it affords
In passing Calvary --

To note the fashions -- of the Cross --
And how they're mostly worn --
Still fascinated to presume
That Some -- are like My Own --

Added: on February 3rd, 2006 at 4:37 PM | Viewed: 4277 times | Comments and analysis of I measure every Grief I meet by Emily Dickinson Comments (7)

I measure every Grief I meet - Comments and Information
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 561. I measure every Grief I meet Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Comment 7 of 7, added on January 15th, 2007 at 2:23 PM. I must modify my previous comment: "Poems," published in 1896, did entitle the poem "Griefs," and it did omit the fourth stanza. All ten stanzas, including the fourth stanza, were printed in "The New England Quarterly," XX, (1947). These citations are from Johnson's notes. Perhaps there is a basis for some genuine controversy, I accept Johnson's versions, in the absence of any subsequent evidence to the contrary. roger schmeeckle from United States Comment 6 of 7, added on January 15th, 2007 at 2:10 PM. Leigh, I do not know what is the basis for your criticism of the poem as reproduced. The fourth stanzs is included in the Thomas Johnson edition of the complete poems. Many editions of Emily Dickinson's poems were published before a reliable, scholarly edition was published. "Griefs" is not the title of the poem. Emily Dickinson did not give titles to her poems. They are usually identified by their first lines, "I measure every Grief I meet" in this case. roger schmeeckle from United States Comment 5 of 7, added on February 3rd, 2006 at 4:37 PM. Someone please help me find a credible source for this poem? I looked every where and could not find one. Please write back at my e-mail James from Armenia More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, I measure every Grief I meet, has received 7 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Emily Dickinson with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 561. I measure every Grief I meet Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Last read: Jul 25 2008, 1:04PM Viewed 4277 times. Added on February 3rd, 2006 at 4:37 PM.

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