'Tis So Much Joy! Poem by Emily Dickinson

'Tis So Much Joy!

Rating: 4.5


172

'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I,
Have ventured all upon a throw!
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so—
This side the Victory!

Life is but Life! And Death, but Death!
Bliss is, but Bliss, and Breath but Breath!
And if indeed I fail,
At least, to know the worst, is sweet!
Defeat means nothing but Defeat,
No drearier, can befall!

And if I gain! Oh Gun at Sea!
Oh Bells, that in the Steeples be!
At first, repeat it slow!
For Heaven is a different thing,
Conjectured, and waked sudden in—
And might extinguish me!

Monday, January 13, 2003
Topic(s) of this poem: happiness
COMMENTS OF THE POEM

deep sorrow the expression of the poem. very interesting poetry.

9 8 Reply
Chinedu Dike 21 April 2023

Great piece from an iconic poetess.

0 0 Reply
Savita Tyagi 20 April 2023

I think I understand Emily's sentiments. there comes a point in life when nothing seems to bother. No trouble or no riches are too great to ruin the equanimity that one carries. Emily understood it way earlier and expressed is beautifully.

0 0 Reply
Poetic Sky 20 April 2023

I liked it/

0 0 Reply
Dev Gupta 09 June 2016

This is a really nice poem but i don't see sorrow anywhere Gangadharan. Instead in this poem the poet is filled with joy.

3 1 Reply
Kim Barney 08 March 2015

Deep sorrow, Gangadharan? 'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy! I like most of Dickinson's poetry, but this is certainly not one of her best, and hardly deserves Poem of the Day when so many better ones could have been chosen.

11 11 Reply
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Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

Amherst / Massachusetts
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