Emily Dickinson — Letter 251 early 1862 - Franklin: June 1861 Samuel Bowles

Dear friend If you doubted my Snow - for a moment - you never will - again - I know - Because I could not say it - I fixed it in the Verse - for you to read - when your thought wavers, for such a foot as mine -        Through the strait pass of suffering -        The Martyrs - even - trod.        Their feet - upon Temptation -        Their faces - upon God -        A stately - shriven - Company -        Convulsion - playing round -        Harmless - as streaks of meteor -        Upon a Planet's Bond -        Their faith - the everlasting troth -        Their expectation - fair -        The Needle - to the North Degree -        Wades - so - thro' polar Air!