Writings by Susan Dickinson


close-up | previous page | next page | note | essay index | search | main index




H bMS Am 1118.95, Box 9


7

of heart - then one forgave all else
but I know of what I affirm - for it
was learned in suffering - one de-
lightful exception remains as a
tableaux vivant in my memory of a
life-time. A woman short - wholesome,
as fresh air itself in her person - with
soft padded hands - a round face -
amiable mouth - as round - blue eyes
half smiling with gentle affection from
out her frilled cap tied under her chin
(not perched coquettishly on the top of her
head) Moving evenly, and quietly, never
with a jerk or rustle - never clicking the
door handle, or spanking the pillow or
brushing with a broom. She was a
noiseless presence in symphonic touch
with the dull half conscious days and
nights of fever, emerging from the
crisis with cheer in every contour
of mind and body, stimulating
Nature to her rebound with spiced broths
and fragrant baths and her sweet un-



close-up | previous page | next page | note | essay index | search | main index



Writings by Susan Dickinson Main Page
Image reproduced by permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University.
Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.
Transcription and commentary copyright 1998 by Martha Nell Smith,
Laura Elyn Lauth, and Lara Vetter, all rights reserved
Maintained by Rebecca Mooney  <rnmooney@umd.edu>
Last updated on January 24, 2008

Dickinson Electronic Archives