This Consciousness that is aware
Of Neighbors and the Sun
Will be the one aware of Death
And that itself alone
Is traversing the interval
Experience between
And most profound experiment
Appointed unto Men --
How adequate unto itself
Its properties shall be
Itself unto itself and none
Shall make discovery.
“Adequate” is one of Dickinson’s signature words. She uses it not in the sense of “just okay” but in the sense of “equal to the task, up for the job.” She associates it with images of strength and willpower. Compare these other uses in her poems: 
 
 The Props assist the House Until the House is built And then the Props withdraw And adequate, erect, The House support itself 
 (“The Props assist the House”) 
 My second Rank—too small the first— Crowned—Crowing—on my Father’s breast— A half unconscious Queen— But this time—Adequate—Erect, With Will to choose, or to reject, And I choose, just a Crown— 
 (“I’m ceded—I’ve stopped being Theirs—”) 

This Consciousness that is aware 822