Page:Emily Dickinson Poems - second series (1891).djvu/236



SHOULD not dare to leave my friend, Because — because if he should die While I was gone, and I — too late — Should reach the heart that wanted me;

If I should disappoint the eyes That hunted, hunted so, to see, And could not bear to shut until They "noticed" me — they noticed me;

If I should stab the patient faith So sure I'd come — so sure I'd come, It listening, listening, went to sleep Telling my tardy name, —

My heart would wish it broke before, Since breaking then, since breaking then, Were useless as next morning's sun, Where midnight frosts had lain!