I Meant To Have But Modest Needs

Emily Dickinson

476

I meant to have but modest needs—
Such as Content—and Heaven—
Within my income—these could lie
And Life and I—keep even—

But since the last—included both—
It would suffice my Prayer
But just for One—to stipulate—
And Grace would grant the Pair—

And so—upon this wise—I prayed—
Great Spirit—Give to me
A Heaven not so large as Yours,
But large enough—for me—

A Smile suffused Jehovah’s face—
The Cherubim—withdrew—
Grave Saints stole out to look at me—
And showed their dimples—too—

I left the Place, with all my might—
I threw my Prayer away—
The Quiet Ages picked it up—
And Judgment—twinkled—too—
Tat one so honest—be extant—
It take the Tale for true—
That “Whatsoever Ye shall ask—
Itself be given You”—

But I, grown shrewder—scan the Skies
With a suspicious Air—
As Children—swindled for the first
All Swindlers—be—infer—

Next 10 Poems

• Emily Dickinson : I Measure Every Grief I Meet
• Emily Dickinson : I Ment To Find Her When I Came;
• Emily Dickinson : I Met A King This Afternoon!
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Felt At Home-below
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Hear That One Is Dead
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Hear The Word Escape
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Lost As Much But Twice
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Saw A Moor,
• Emily Dickinson : I Never Told The Buried Gold
• Emily Dickinson : I Noticed People Disappeared

Previous 10 Poems

• Emily Dickinson : I Meant To Find Her When I Came
• Emily Dickinson : I Many Times Thought Peace Had Come
• Emily Dickinson : I Make His Crescent Fill Or Lack
• Emily Dickinson : I Made Slow Riches But My Gain
• Emily Dickinson : I Lost A World-the Other Day!
• Emily Dickinson : I Lived On Dread; To Those Who Know
• Emily Dickinson : I Lived On Dread
• Emily Dickinson : I Live With Him-i See His Face
• Emily Dickinson : I Like To See It Lap The Miles,
• Emily Dickinson : I Like A Look Of Agony