Love, immortality and Emily Dickinson

(Poem 917 – published 1896)

Love – is anterior to Life –

Posterior – to Death –

Initial of Creation, and

The Exponent of Earth –

—–

(Poem 974 – published 1925 but written the same year as 917, 1894)

The Soul’s distinct connection

With immortality

Is best disclosed by Danger

Or quick Calamity –

—

As Lightning on a Landscape

Exhibits Sheets of Place –

Not yet suspected – but for Flash –

And Click – and Suddenness.