Emily Dickinson’s speaker talks about heaven with a startling, conversational honesty. She begins by brushing off the question of when or how she’ll go—she’s far too astonished to answer. Heaven sounds dim, but she trusts it will happen as surely as sheep come home to the shepherd’s arm. Then she imagines the listener might go first and asks, with gentle humor, to save a spot close to two people she’s lost; the smallest robe and a scrap of crown will fit because no one minds what they wear when they’re going home. But a sudden confession flips everything: she’s glad she doesn’t believe, because faith would take her breath away, and she wants more time to gaze at this “curious Earth.” She’s only glad her lost ones believed, remembering that mighty autumn afternoon she left them in the ground. It’s a brave, tender balancing act between longing for reunion and a quiet hunger for living.
Going to Heaven! — Summary
Going to Heaven! I don't know when -- Pray do not ask me how! Indeed I'm too astonished To think of answering you! Going to Heaven! How dim it sounds! And yet it will be done As sure as flocks go home at night Unto the Shepherd's arm!
Perhaps you're going too! Who knows? If you should get there first Save just a little space for me Close to the two I lost -- The smallest "Robe" will fit me And just a bit of "Crown" -- For you know we do not mind our dress When we are going home --
I'm glad I don't believe it For it would stop my breath -- And I'd like to look a little more At such a curious Earth! I'm glad they did believe it Whom I have never found Since the might Autumn afternoon I left them in the ground.