Classic Poetry Series
Emily Dickinson
- poems -
Publication Date:
2004
Publisher:
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, the daughterof a lawyer. She was educated at Amherst Academy (1834-47) and MountHolyoake (1847-8). In her early years she appears to have been a bright andsociable young scholar, but in her twenties she began to withdraw from theoutside world. By her forties she had become a complete recluse, refusing toleave her house and shunning all contact with strangers. A mystic byinclination, she wrote much in secret, producing over two thousand poems,only seven of which are known to have been published in her lifetime.Her personal life remains something of a mystery although there is thepossibility that her seclusion might have been prompted by a failed loveaffair. Her work certainly reflects a deep inner struggle spanning many yearsand her verse is full of powerful allusions to storms, volcanic eruptions andimprisonment.
"Arcturus" is his other name
70"Arcturus" is his other name—I'd rather call him "Star."It's very mean of ScienceTo go and interfere!I slew a worm the other day—A "Savant" passing byMurmured "Resurgam"—"Centipede"!"Oh Lord—how frail are we"!I pull a flower from the woods—A monster with a glassComputes the stamens in a breath—And has her in a "class"!Whereas I took the ButterflyAforetime in my hat—He sits erect in "Cabinets"—The Clover bells forgot.What once was "Heaven"Is "Zenith" now—Where I proposed to goWhen Time's brief masquerade was doneIs mapped and charted too.What if the poles should frisk aboutAnd stand upon their heads!I hope I'm ready for "the worst"—Whatever prank betides!Perhaps the "Kingdom of Heaven's" changed—I hope the "Children" there Won't be "new fashioned" when I come—And laugh at me—and stare—I hope the Father in the skiesWill lift his little girl—Old fashioned—naught—everything—Over the stile of "Pearl."Emily Dickinson