A charm invests a face
Imperfectly beheld,—
The lady dare not lift her veil
For fear it be dispelled.
But peers beyond her mesh,
And wishes, and denies,—
Lest interview annul a want
That image satisfies.
A charm invests a face
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Summary
"A charm invests a face" is a short poem by Emily Dickinson about a veiled lady who hesitates at the edge of a meeting. A glimpse through her mesh gives her an imperfect image, and she is torn between wishing and denying. In eight compact lines, Dickinson sets up a quiet standoff between desire and its fulfilment. Will she lift the veil, or does the dream satisfy her more than the truth could?
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