Barbara Penn

670

One need not be a Chamber – to be Haunted – 
One need not be a House – 
The Brain has Corridors – surpassing 
Material Place – 

Far safer, of a Midnight Meeting 
External Ghost 
Than its interior Confronting – 
That Cooler Host. 

Far safer, through an Abbey gallop, 
The Stones a'chase – 
Than Unarmed, one's a'self encounter – 
In lonesome Place – 

Ourself behind ourself, concealed – 
Should startle most – 
Assassin hid in our Apartment 
Be Horror's least. 

The Body – borrows a Revolver – 
He bolts the Door – 
O'erlooking a superior spectre – 
Or More – 

​

c. 1863                                                          1891

​

by Emily Dickinson
from The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson 
edited by Thomas H. Johnson