022. Some keep the Sabbath going to church

Emily Dickinson began working on this poem in 1861. It was printed in 1864 – with the added title “My Sabbath” – from a draft that has since been lost.

Some keep the Sabbath going to church,
I keep it staying at home,
With a bobolink for a chorister,
And an orchard for a dome.

Some keep the Sabbath in surplice,
I just wear my wings,
And instead of tolling the bell for church,
Our little sexton sings.

God preachesa noted clergyman,
And the sermon is never long;
So instead of going to heaven at last,
I'm going all along