Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SHELTER, by EMILY DICKINSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHELTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The body grows outside
Last Line: In timid honesty
Subject(s): Body, Human; Soul


The body grows outside,
The more convenient way,
That if the spirit like to hide,
Its temple stands alway

Ajar, secure, inviting;
It never did betray
The soul that asked its shelter
In timid honesty
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The Bone that has no Marrow,
What Ultimate for that?
It is not fit for Table
For Beggar or for Cat.

A Bone has obligations -
A Being has the same -
A Marrowless Assembly
Is culpabler than shame.

But how shall finished Creatures
A function fresh obtain?
Old Nicodemus' Phantom
Confronting us again!




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