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MANUSCRIPT: There are four, all written about 1877; two are fair copies and two are worksheet drafts. The copy reproduced above (BPL Higg 37) is one of four poems that were enclosed in a letter (BPL Higg 73) to T. W. Higginson written in August 1877. In the letter ED refers to it by title as "a Gale." The second fair copy (Bingham 98-4A-4) has been folded as if enclosed in an envelope; it is identical in text and form with the copy to Higginson except that lines 1 and 3 end with commas. It sounded as if the Air were runningThe second rough draft (Bingham 98-4A-5) makes several alterations: It sounded as if the streets were running -7] [Nature] was in her bluest apron/ [Nature was in her] opal Apron "Air" (lines 1 and 2) is replaced by "streets," and "were" (line 6) by "was." In line 7 nature is described by a new metaphor, but the suggested change first returns to the change proposed in the earlier draft, then offers "Opal" as an alternative. Both fair copies follow the text of the second draft and adopt the alternative "Opal" in line 7. PUBLICATION: Poems (1891), 155, titled "Storm." It follows the text and form of the fair copies, except that it substitutes "Beryl" (line 7), to be found only in the first rough draft, for "Opal." Higginson has made a notation on his copy of the poem: her beryl (pub.)
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