I live with Him—I see His face—
I go no more away
For Visitor—or Sundown—
Death's single privacy
The Only One—forestalling Mine—
And that—by Right that He
Presents a Claim invisible—
No wedlock—granted Me—
I live with Him—I hear His Voice—
I stand alive—Today—
As witness to the Certainty
Of Immortality—
Taught Me—by Time—the lower Way—
Conviction—Every day—
That Life like This—is endless—
Be Judgment—what it may—
~ Emliy Dickinson (1830-1886)
WTF?
ReplyDeleteI’m Nobody: Who are you?
ReplyDeleteAre you- Nobody- too?
Then there’s a pair of us
Don’t tell! they’d advertise-you know!
How dreary- to be- Somebody!
How public- like a Frog-
To tell one’s name- the livelong June
To an admiring Bog!
-Emily Dickinison
I'm nobody! Who are you?
ReplyDeleteAre you nobody, too?
Then there ’s a pair of us — don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!.
E.D. (1830-'86)
The above is the version I've known for over sixty, and seen in many textbooks and anthologies. "Banish" sounds more intimate and confiding than "advertise" which seems too far too modern a word for Miss Dickinson.
I guess we always prefer what's dear and familiar, so I'll stick with "banish."
Sorry. I was unaware of the alteration. :(
ReplyDelete