Emily Dickinson's Correspondences
Correspondence with Susan Dickinson


No image available.
"Arcturus" is his other name -
I'd rather call him "Star."
It's very mean of Science
To go and interfere!

I slew a worm the other day -
A "Savan" passing by 
Murmured "Resurgam" - "Centipede"!
"Oh Lord - how frail are we"!
 
I pull a flower from the woods -
A monster with a glass
Computes the stamens in a breath -
And has her in a "class"!
  
Whereas I took the Butterfly
Aforetime in my hat -
He sits erect in "Cabinets" -
The Clover bells forgot.
   
What once was "Heaven"
Is "Zenith" now -
Where I proposed to go
When Time's brief masquerade was done
Is mapped and charted too.
    
What if the poles sh'd frisk about
And stand upon their heads!
I hope I'm ready for "the worst" -    
Whatever prank betides!
 
Perhaps the "Kingdom of Heaven's" changed -
I hope the "Children" there
Wont be "new fashioned" when I come -
And laugh at me - and stare -

I hope the Father in the skies
Will lift his little girl -
Old fashioned - naughty - everything -
Over the stile of "Pearl".
 
        
 

H 236


Notes Search Dickinson Electronic Archives Main Menu


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 1996 by Martha Nell Smith, all rights reserved
Last updated on October 10, 2005
Maintained by Tanya Clement <tclement@umd.edu>