A Door just opened on a street—
I—lost—was passing by—
An instant’s Width of Warmth disclosed—
And Wealth—and Company.
The Door as instant shut—And I—
I—lost—was passing by—
Lost doubly—but by contrast—most—
Informing—misery—
A Door just opened on a street
Summary
"A Door just opened on a street" is a short Emily Dickinson poem about a lost passerby who glimpses warmth, wealth and company for a single instant. A door swings open, a room full of light and belonging is revealed, and then it closes again. The speaker is left on the cold street, and the brief contrast makes her loneliness sharper. In just two stanzas, the poem turns a fleeting moment into an ache.
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