“There’s a Certain Slant of Light”
by Emily Dickinson
There’s a certain Slant of light
On winter afternoons–
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of cathedral tunes.
Heavenly Hurt it gives us–
We can find no scar–
But internal difference
Where the Meanings are.
None may teach it anything
‘Tis the seal, Despair–
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.
When it comes, the Landscape listens–
Shadows hold their breath–
When it goes, ’tis like the Distance
On the look of Death.
You can find this poem in The Four Seasons: Poems.
