Saturday, December 22, 2012

Emily Dickinson: "Slant of light"

#258

There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons--
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes--

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us--
We can find no scar,
but internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are--

None may teach it-- Any--
'Tis the Seal Despair--
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air--

When it comes, the Landscape listens--
Shadows-- hold their breath--
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death--

-- Emily Dickinson --
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Thomas H. Johnson, editor



This is one of the poems of Dickinson that I had to reread several times when I first read it, especially the first stanza, which I find one of the most engrossing  stanzas that she has written.   I know that "Slant of light," not from where I live now in Tucson, but in Chicago, where I grew up.  It had been a grey, overcast, dull day and suddenly, just before nightfall, the sun at the western horizon breaks through the clouds and lights all with a strange golden glow that does something to the back of my throat.


Heavenly Hurt, it gives us--
We can find no scar,
but internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are--

I can't explain it, and this rarely, if ever, happens with any other poem, even those most loved by me.  There is some quality to that light that is unique and disquieting.



2 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting Emily Dickinson, Fred. Coincidentally I was reading some of her work today while searching for something else. I mean, you have to stop and read when you come to Dickinson.

    I wonder that she saw so much and seemed to know so much while living mostly as a recluse. Kind of like Jane Austen who observed the world from her own little sphere. Two unique women - magicians with words.

    I hope you and your family, Fred, will have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy Year.

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  2. Yvette,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Yes, I also have to stop and read Dickinson whenever I encounter her. There's always something new by her and in her that I find. I have the complete collection of her poetry and haven't even come close to doing anything more than merely dipping into it.

    Good comparison--Austen and Dickinson. I wonder if Agatha Christie had one or both in mind when she created Miss Marple, who understood people everywhere based on her knowledge of the people of her small village.

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