’Tis Customary as We Part, by Emily Dickinson

’Tis Customary as We Part

440

’Tis customary as we part

A trinket—to confer—

It helps to stimulate the faith

When Lovers be afar—

’Tis various—as the various taste—

Clematis—journeying far—

Presents me with a single Curl

Of her Electric Hair—

‘They have not chosen me,’ he said… ‘But I have chosen them!’ Brave’—Broken hearted statement’— Uttered in Bethlehem! I could not have told it,

705 Suspense—is Hostiler than Death— Death—tho’soever Broad, Is just Death, and cannot increas… Suspense—does not conclude –

273 He put the Belt around my life I heard the Buckle snap— And turned away, imperial, My Lifetime folding up—

XXVI THE brain within its groove Runs evenly and true; But let a splinter swerve, ’T were easier for you

595 Like Mighty Foot Lights—burned t… At Bases of the Trees— The far Theatricals of Day Exhibiting—to These—

694 The Heaven vests for Each In that small Deity It craved the grace to worship Some bashful Summer’s Day—

My Garden—like the Beach— Denotes there be—a Sea— That’s Summer— Such as These—the Pearls She fetches—such as Me

204 I’ll tell you how the Sun rose— A Ribbon at a time— The Steeples swam in Amethyst— The news, like Squirrels, ran—

163 Tho’ my destiny be Fustian— Hers be damask fine— Tho’ she wear a silver apron— I, a less divine—

How firm Eternity must look To crumbling men like me The only Adamant Estate In all Identity - How mighty to the insecure

293 I got so I could take his name— Without—Tremendous gain— That Stop-sensation—on my Soul— And Thunder—in the Room—

818 I could not drink it, Sweet, Till You had tasted first, Though cooler than the Water was The Thoughtfullness of Thirst.

52 Whether my bark went down at sea— Whether she met with gales— Whether to isles enchanted She bent her docile sails—

298 Alone, I cannot be— For Hosts—do visit me— Recordless Company— Who baffle Key—

485 To make One’s Toilette—after Dea… Has made the Toilette cool Of only Taste we cared to please Is difficult, and still—