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MY LIFE HAD STOOD - A LOADED GUN by EMILY DICKINSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

Last Line: FOR I HAVE THE POWER TO KILL, %WITHOUT - THE POWER TO DIE

My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun -
In Corners - till a Day
The Owner passed - identified -
And carried Me away -


And now We roam in Sovreign Woods -
And now We hunt the Doe -
And every time I speak for Him
The Mountains straight reply -


And do I smile, such cordial light
Opon the Valley glow -
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let it's pleasure through -


And when at Night - Our good Day done -
I guard My Master's Head -
'Tis better than the Eider Duck's
Deep Pillow - to have shared -


To foe of His - I'm deadly foe -
None stir the second time -
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye -
Or an emphatic Thumb -


Though I than He - may longer live
He longer must - than I -
For I have but the power to kill,
Without - the power to die -




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