Happy National Poetry Month! Pop off the cork and enjoy the metaphorical champagne. Here are two of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson. More to come.
It’s all I have to bring today – (26)
It’s all I have to bring today—
This, and my heart beside—
This, and my heart, and all the fields—
And all the meadows wide—
Be sure you count—should I forget
Some one the sum could tell—
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.
Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263)
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
I came to Dickinson’s poetry late, but she’s now one of my favorites. I’ve been (very) slowly working my way through Helen Vendler’s Dickinson, reading a poem, Vendler’s commentary and then re-reading, trying to tease out the meanings. Slow but worth the effort!
Thanks for the reminder about National Poetry Month! I usually try to purchase at least one book of poetry, or post something; I always feel poetry needs all the encouragement it can get.
“Tell All The Truth But Tell It Slant, BTW, is also one of my favorites.
I love National Poetry Month! It reminds me to make time for poetry. Emily’s poems are thoughtful, sometimes cryptic, and make me see the world differently. I have read part of Vendler’s brilliant book. Really, I could use a book like that for every poet!