We Grow Accustomed to the Dark

by Emily Dickinson

The punctuation Emily Dickinson used in this poem leaves us pausing to consider each word. We Grow Accustomed to the Dark offers a rich study of how a description of the day's end can be a metaphor for our struggles against uncertainty. It's often studied by high school students.

We grow accustomed to the Dark --
When light is put away --
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Goodbye --

A Moment -- We uncertain step
For newness of the night --
Then -- fit our Vision to the Dark --
And meet the Road -- erect --

And so of larger -- Darkness --
Those Evenings of the Brain --
When not a Moon disclose a sign --
Or Star -- come out -- within --

The Bravest -- grope a little --
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead --
But as they learn to see --

Either the Darkness alters --
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight --
And Life steps almost straight.

We Grow Accustomed to the Dark was featured as The Short Story of the Day on Thu, Dec 10, 2020

Featured in our selection of Poetry for Students.

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