I Reason, Earth Is Short

Emily Dickinson · 1890

Catalog grade guidance: 8–12 — Short lyric; Todd/Higginson text of the three early series.

13 content lines · 49 words · Est. recitation about 32 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #12242, Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, Complete.Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

XXIII.

I reason, earth is short,
And anguish absolute,
And many hurt;
But what of that?

I reason, we could die:
The best vitality
Cannot excel decay;
But what of that?

I reason that in heaven
Somehow, it will be even,
Some new equation given;
But what of that?