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Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part Two: Love 34. What if I say I shall not wait?

What if I say I shall not wait?

What if I burst the fleshly gate

And pass, escaped, to thee?

What if I file this mortal off,

See where it hurt me, -- that 's enough, --

And wade in liberty?


They cannot take us any more, --

Dungeons may call, and guns implore;

Unmeaning now, to me,

As laughter was an hour ago,

Or laces, or a travelling show,

Or who died yesterday!