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Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part Two: Love 24. The way I read a letter 's this

The way I read a letter 's this:

'T is first I lock the door,

And push it with my fingers next,

For transport it be sure.


And then I go the furthest off

To counteract a knock;

Then draw my little letter forth

And softly pick its lock.


Then, glancing narrow at the wall,

And narrow at the floor,

For firm conviction of a mouse

Not exorcised before,


Peruse how infinite I am

To -- no one that you know!

And sigh for lack of heaven, -- but not

The heaven the creeds bestow.