Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RETURNING, by EMILY DICKINSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RETURNING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I years had been from home
Last Line: Fled gasping from the house.
Subject(s): Homecoming


I years had been from home,
And now, before the door,
I dared not open, lest a face
I never saw before
Stare vacant into mine
And ask my business there.
My business, -- just a life I left,
Was such still dwelling there?
I fumbled at my nerve,
I scanned the windows near;
The silence like an ocean rolled,
And broke against my ear.
I laughed a wooden laugh
That I could fear a door,
Who danger and the dead had faced,
But never quaked before.
I fitted to the latch
My hand, with trembling care,
Lest back the awful door should spring,
And leave me standing there.
I moved my fingers off
As cautiously as glass,
And held my ears, and like a thief
Fled gasping from the house.




Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net