A Little East of Jordan, by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

A Little East of Jordan

A little East of Jordan,

Evangelists record,

A Gymnast and an Angel

Did wrestle long and hard—

Till morning touching mountain—

And Jacob, waxing strong,

The Angel begged permission

To Breakfast—to return—

Not so, said cunning Jacob!

“I will not let thee go

Except thou bless me”—Stranger!

The which acceded to—

Light swung the silver fleeces

“Peniel” Hills beyond,

And the bewildered Gymnast

Found he had worsted God!

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Emily Dickinson