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Poem: “‘Heaven’ has Different Signs—to Me”

by on Dec 13, 2012 in Poetry
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“Heaven” has Different Signs—to Me

“Heaven” has different Signs—to me—
Sometimes, I think that Noon
Is but a symbol of the Place—
And when again, at Dawn,

A mighty look runs round the World
And settles in the Hills—
An Awe if it should be like that
Upon the Ignorance steals—

The Orchard, when the Sun is on—
The Triumph of the Birds
When they together Victory make—
Some Carnivals of Clouds—

The Rapture of a finished Day—
Returning to the West—
All these—remind us of the place
That Men call “paradise”—

Itself be fairer—we suppose—
But how Ourself, shall be
Adorned, for a Superior Grace—
Not yet, our eyes can see—

Emily Dickinson


Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830. Her father was a lawyer and treasurer of the local college. He also served in Congress. Emily had a distant relationship with her mother who suffered from depression. Around 1850 Emily began to compose her first poems. Her initial poetic style was conventional though later she began to experiment with different styles. Her poems dealt with various issues such as nature, faith, and death. Emily died in 1886.