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A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

Dust is the only Secret

Emily Dickinson

153

Dust is the only Secret—
Death, the only One
You cannot find out all about
In his “native town.”

Nobody know “his Father”—
Never was a Boy—
Hadn’t any playmates,
Or “Early history”—

Industrious! Laconic!
Punctual! Sedate!
Bold as a Brigand!
Stiller than a Fleet!

Builds, like a Bird, too!
Christ robs the Nest—
Robin after Robin
Smuggled to Rest!
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson | Written c. 1860
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