The Word from the Corner
Shared on North Andover Poets Corner on FB
A few years ago, we watched the show Dickinson. I recommend it highly! If you are someone who loves poetry - someone who loves the power of words - you will be transported. It's really well done - there's a lot to like about it. It bends history - pretty far! - but best of all, it does so in artful ways that serve the drama - that open up Emily Dickinson, her life, her times and her words. I won't say more about it, other than the show - and the episode that included the history of an eclipse - 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 –
like the Eclipse that burns
the After-Sun on the Eye –
leaving a Ghost in the Dark –
leaving the Phosphors
permanent on the sight –
leaving only the Light
of your Face.
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
