Nothing New

The great writers, one piece at a time.

Emily Dickinson · Poems

Poem 400 of 446 · Third Series: Time and Eternity

Death

— ✻ —

Death is like the insect Menacing the tree, Competent to kill it, But decoyed may be.

Bait it with the balsam, Seek it with the knife, Baffle, if it cost you Everything in life.

Then, if it have burrowed Out of reach of skill, Ring the tree and leave it, -- 'T is the vermin's will.

Receive Emily Dickinson one poem at a time, every morning.
Subscribe →