The Secret.

Some things that fly there be, --
Birds, hours, the bumble-bee:
Of these no elegy.
Some things that stay there be, --
Grief, hills, eternity:
Nor this behooveth me.
There are, that resting, rise.
Can I expound the skies?
How still the riddle lies!

About Emily Dickinson

American poet known for her unconventional use of form and syntax. Most of her work was published posthumously.

More poems by Emily Dickinson

View all Emily Dickinson poems →

More Life & Death poems

View all Life & Death poems →