Poems: Second Series (Dickinson)/Renunciation

For other versions of this work, see There came a Day at Summer's full.

Fac-simile of "Renunciation," by Emily Dickinson.
PRINTED IN THE FIRST VOLUME OF HER POEMS.

There came a day - at Summer's full -
Entirely for me -
I thought that such were for the Saints -
Where Resurrections - be -

The Sun - as common - went abroad -
The flowers - accustomed - blew -
As if no soul - that solstice passed -
Which maketh all things - new -

The time was scarce profaned - by speech -
The falling of a word
Was needless - as at Sacrament -
The Wardrobe - of Our Lord!

Each was to each - the sealed Church -
Permitted to Commune - this time -
Lest we too awkward show -
At Supper of "the Lamb."

The hours slid fast - as hours will -
Clutched tight - by greedy hands -
So - faces on two Decks look back -
Bound to opposing lands -

And so when all the time had leaked -
Without external sound -
Each bound the other's Crucifix -
We gave no other Bond -

Sufficient Troth - that we shall rise -
Deposed - at length the Grave -
To that new - Marriage -
Justified - through Calvaries — of Love!