Happy Birthday, Emily Dickinson

I am alive -- I guess --
The Branches on my Hand
Are full of Morning Glory --
And at my finger's end --

The Carmine -- tingles warm --
And if I hold a Glass
Across my Mouth -- it blurs it --
Physician's -- proof of Breath --

I am alive -- because
I am not in a Room --
The Parlor -- Commonly -- it is --
So Visitors may come --

And lean -- and view it sidewise --
And add "How cold -- it grew" --
And "Was it conscious -- when it stepped
In Immortality?"

I am alive -- because
I do not own a House --
Entitled to myself -- precise --
And fitting no one else --

And marked my Girlhood's name --
So Visitors may know
Which Door is mine -- and not

-- Emily Dickinson
(December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886)

Comments

[Sally]

yea. what a poem, what a girl.

[Laura Orem]

We need a "like" button.

[Larry Epstein]

I once noticed an unusual coincidence involving the number 5 and Emily Dickinson's death. She died on 5/15 (1886) at the age of 55 years 5 months and 5 days. I haven't been able to find the definitive time of death, but it was very near 5:55 p.m. I neither imply nor draw any conclusion; I'll leave that to others.

[Laura Orem]

She probably did it on purpose.

[Floyce Alexander]

I am struck by Laura Orem's comment on the number 5. It's damn near becoming a poem, if only Emily could write it. "I am alive--I guess--" is one that reminds me of "After great pain, a formal feeling comes." That feeling that remains feeling even though its words deck out the images in a finery no other poet could wear.

[Emily Fragos]

"I am alive--I guess--" has to be one of the greatest opening lines ever in the world of poetry.
Happy birthday, Emily Dickinson. You are 194 years old.

[Robert Sward]

Where are the last 5 lines?

[Robert McDowell]

For some trickster reason, this comment was attributed to Robert Sward. The 'Robert' is correct, but the last name is McDowell.

[David Lehman]

Dear Robert, What are the missing lines? Thanks! David