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

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!