On a Columnar Self

On a Columnar Self—
How ample to rely In Tumult—
or Extremity—
How good the Certainty That Lever cannot pry—
 And Wedge cannot divide Conviction—
That Granitic Base—
Though none be on our side—
Suffice Us—
 for a Crowd—
 Ourself—
and Rectitude—
And that Assembly—
not far off From furthest Spirit—God—

-- Emily Dickinson.

Found via Esther Gokhale musing on the posture of Emily Dickinson and a young mother from Burkina Faso.