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Subject: Fwd: 6/7: #155 "The Murmur of a Bee"
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From: LouisFors@aol.com
Return-path: <LouisFors@aol.com>
To: EmMail1@aol.com
Subject: Re: 6/7: #155 "The Murmur of a Bee"
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 12:45:30 EDT
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Dear friends:
>  
>  #155
>  
>  The Murmur of a Bee
>  A Witchcraft -- yieldeth me --
>  If any ask me why --
>  'Twere easier to die --
>  Than tell --
>  
>  The Red upon the Hill
>  Taketh away my will --
>  If anybody sneer --
>  Take care -- for God is here --
>  That's all.
>  
>  The Breaking of the Day
>  Addeth to my Degree --
>  If any ask me how --
>  Artist -- who drew me so --
>  Must tell!
>  
>  c.1860
>  

There are some sinister things in this poem.  "Witchcraft" in ED's day,
probably moreso than now, was a profoundly negative affair.  Webster's 1828
dictionary has as it's first entry:  "The practice of witches; sorcery;
enchantments; intercourse with the devil."  The second stanza takes a certain
swipe at God:  "If anybody sneer --/Take care -- for God is here --."  "Take
care" is a warning:  beware or God might smote you.  Also, "The Red upon the
Hill" could go in a couple of directions.  Red could relate to blood, or it
could mean changing of the colors, as in fall.  ED is well known for having
layers of meaning.  I think one meaning is a respectfull nod to God, who was
the Artist who created the poet, and He alone can tell how the poet has the
feelings she has.  Another possible reading is the more sinister one that I
detect, which expresses an interplay between good and evil (God and the
devil).  And the poet seems to say "I'm not sure who (or what) created me, but
whoever (or whatever) it is must tell, because I certainly don't know."

That's a first reading (I haven't read this poem before), and, as always one
reading cries for many others.  More frequently than not, Dickinson crafted
ambivalence in her poetry, and I think this is a good example of her success
in that crafting.  I await other readings so that my understanding can deepen.

best regards from Santa fe,

Louis

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