Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

Emily Dickinson

1430

Who never wanted—maddest Joy
Remains to him unknown—
The Banquet of Abstemiousness
Defaces that of Wine—

Within its reach, though yet ungrasped
Desire’s perfect Goal—
No nearer—lest the Actual—
Should disentrall thy soul—

Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson | Written c. 1877

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