EMILY DICKINSON HAD THE WORST TASTE IN MEN
by Katha Pollitt
Page 3
I've often thought Thomas Hardy could have written that poem if Emily Dickinson hadn't written it.And here's another one which is about another very popular nineteenth century subject which is about watching at a deathbed, except Emily Dickinson gives it an odd twist.
I think the way--that last line is so wonderful--regulate is not the word you expect there and it's really great.The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying - this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things -
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized - as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite -
We waited while She passed -
It was a narrow time -
Too Jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot -
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce -
Consented, and was dead -
And We - We placed the Hair -
And drew the Head erect -
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate -
(JP 1100)
