I could suffice for Him, I knew (643) by Emily Dickinson | Poets.org

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. After living a life of solitude, Dickinson became renowned posthumously for her idiosyncratic and meditative verse. She died in 1886.

I could suffice for Him, I knew (643)

I could suffice for Him, I knew–

He–could suffice for Me–

Yet Hesitating Fractions–Both

Surveyed Infinity–

 

“Would I be Whole” He sudden broached–

My syllable rebelled–

‘Twas face to face with Nature–forced–

‘Twas face to face with God–

 

Withdrew the Sun–to Other Wests–

Withdrew the furthest Star

Before Decision–stooped to speech–

And then–be audibler

 

The Answer of the Sea unto

The Motion of the Moon–

Herself adjust Her Tides–unto–

Could I–do else–with Mine?

 

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. After living a life of solitude, Dickinson became renowned posthumously for her idiosyncratic and meditative verse. She died in 1886.

About This Poem

Emily Dickinson is believed to have written this poem in 1862, a year during which she wrote an average of a poem a day.