Poems (Dickinson)/I reason, earth is short

For other versions of this work, see I reason, Earth is short—.
5356Poems — I reason, earth is short1890Emily Dickinson

XXIII.

I reason, earth is short,
And anguish absolute,
And many hurt;
But what of that?

I reason, we could die:
The best vitality
Cannot excel decay;
But what of that?

I reason that in heaven
Somehow, it will be even,
Some new equation given;
But what of that?