Emily Dickinson
Letter 203 (about March 1859) - no ms. Catherine Scott Turner (Anthon)
                                                                                                        Amherst

I never missed a Kate before, - Two Sues - Eliza and a Martha, comprehended my girls.

Sweet at my door this March night another Candidate - Go Home! We don't like Katies here! - Stay! My heart votes for you, and what am I indeed to dispute her ballot - ? - What are your qualifications? Dare you dwell in the East where we dwell? Are you afraid of the Sun? - When you hear the new violet sucking her way among the sods, shall you be resolute? All we are strangers - dear - The world is not acquainted with us, because we are not acquainted with her. And Pilgrims! - Do you hesitate? and Soldiers oft - some of us victors, but those I do not see tonight owing to the smoke. - We are hungry, and thirsty, sometimes - We are barefoot - and cold -

Will you still come? Then bright I record you! Kate gathered in March!

It is a small bouquet, dear - but what it lacks in size, it gains in fadelessness, - Many can boast a hollyhock, but few can bear a rose! And should new flower smile at limited associates, pray her remember, were there many they were not worn upon the breast - but tilled in the pasture! So I rise, wearing her - so I sleep, holding, - Sleep at last with her fast in my hand and wake bearing my flower.-

                                                                                                              Emilie