Emily Dickinson

10 December 1830 – 15 May 1886 / Amherst / Massachusetts

I Lived On Dread

770

I lived on Dread—
To Those who know
The Stimulus there is
In Danger—Other impetus
Is numb—and Vitalless—

As 'twere a Spur—upon the Soul—
A Fear will urge it where
To go without the Sceptre's aid
Were Challenging Despair.
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