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 wordWas 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!