Emily Dickinson
Letter 364 (September 1871) Susan Gilbert Dickinson
To miss you, Sue, is power.

The stimulus of Loss makes most Possession mean.

To live lasts always, but to love is firmer than to live. No Heart that broke but further went than Immortality.

The Trees keep House for you all Day and the Grass looks chastened.

A silent Hen frequents the place with superstitious Chickens - and still Forenoons a Rooster knocks at your outer Door.

To look that way is Romance. The Novel "out," pathetic worth attaches to the Shelf.

Nothing has gone but Summer, or no one that you knew.

The Forests are at Home - the Mountains intimate at Night and arrogant at Noon, and lonesome Fluency abroad, like suspending Music.

        Of so divine a Loss
        We enter but the Gain,
        Indemnity for Loneliness
        That such a Bliss has been.

Tell Neddie that we miss him and cherish "Captain Jinks." Tell Mattie that Tim's Dog calls Vinnie's Pussy names and I don't discourage him. She must come Home and chase them both and that will make it square. For Big Mattie and John, of course a strong remembrance.

I trust that you are warm. I keep your faithful place. Whatever throng the Lock is firm upon your Diamond Door.

                                                                                                              Emily.