After Dickinson (poem)

The Word from the Corner

Shared on North Andover Poets Corner on FB

We are watching the show Dickinson. Very recommended! Watching this show as a poet or as anyone who loves the power of words, you will be transported. It's really well done - a lot to like about it - as it bends history in artful ways to open up Emily Dickinson, her life, her times and her words. I won't say more about it, other than it inspired this poem today. Here it is.

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After Dickinson 

Poetry is best
done in private
out of the light
done in a dark room
then destroyed 
but remembered 
like the echo of light
when an eclipse burns
permanent on the eye

After I wrote this, I found this one by Emily Dickinson:

We grow accustomed to the Dark -

When Light is put away -

As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp

To witness her Good bye -

A Moment - We uncertain step

For newness of the night -

Then - fit our Vision to the Dark -

And meet the Road - erect -

And so of larger - Darknesses -

Those Evenings of the Brain -

When not a Moon disclose a sign -

Or Star - come out - within -

The Bravest - grope a little -

And sometimes hit a Tree

Directly in the Forehead -

But as they learn to see -

Either the Darkness alters -

Or something in the sight

Adjusts itself to Midnight -

And Life steps almost straight.

Fr428