From: LouisFors@aol.com Return-path: To: EmMail1@aol.com Subject: Re: 6/7: #155 "The Murmur of a Bee" Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 21:14:58 EDT Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Dear friends: With the help of others who have posted, I'm attempting to clarify my feelings about # 155. The method I use below does a disservice to ED, but it helps me dig more deeply. I hope it doesn't seem too simple minded Dickinson one reading The Murmur of a Bee The sound of a bee A Witchcraft -- yieldeth me -- Yields secret information to me. If any ask me why -- If you ask me why that happens to me Twere easier to die -- It would be easier to die Than tell -- Than explain, because I don't know. The Red upon the Hill The magnificent sunset upon the hill Taketh away my will -- Takes away my will to comprehend nature. If anybody sneer -- If anybody sneers at my feeling, Take care -- for God is here -- Be careful, for God is here; That's all. And that's that. The Breaking of the Day And sunrise Addeth to my Degree -- Adds to my awe of the nature's mysteries. If any ask me how -- If anyone asks how this happens to me, Artist -- who drew me so -- The one who created me Must tell! Must tell, for I don't know. Dickinson a second reading The Mumur of a Bee The mumurings of a bee A witchcraft -- yieldeth me -- Yield mysterious knowledge to me. If any ask me why -- If you ask me why that happens to me 'Twere easier to die -- I couldn't tell you, try as I might. Than tell -- Dying is easier than explaining why I have this gift. The Red upon the Hill -- But the terrifying crucifixion on the hill Taketh away my will -- Tears away my will to understand. If anybody sneer -- Don't sneer at my fear; God is here, That's all. And He has frightening power. The breaking of the Day The coming of dawn, with the cross still there, Addeth to my Degree -- Adds to the agony of my search. If any ask me how -- But if you ask me why these feelings come to me Artist -- who drew me so -- Only the one who shaped me Must tell! Can explain. These two readings make a kind of binary choice, and that isn't fair to Dickinson. She deals in careful blendings of ideas, and thrives on ambiguity. So, it's just another try to comprehend. I have little doubt that ED is too sensitive to language, too versed in the Bible, too ambivalent about God and even Christ, too eager to make her reader's work, to make the second reading are impossible. But, I also have no doubt that there are other readings as well. Louis