When they come back — if Blossoms do —
I always feel a doubt
If Blossoms can be born again
When once the Art is out —

When they begin, if Robins may,
I always had a fear
I did not tell, it was their last Experiment
Last Year,

When it is May, if May return,
Had nobody a pang
Lest in a Face so beautiful
He might not look again?

If I am there — One does not know
What Party — One may be
Tomorrow, but if I am there
I take back all I say —

from The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Copyright 1976 by Little, Brown and Company

Video: Song setting by Aaron Copland, sung by Sanford Sylvan with David Kreitman on piano.

Copland wrote this song before the publication of the Thomas H. Johnson edition, the first to offer Emily Dickinson’s poems with correct texts. Copland’s version therefore is somewhat different from what Dickinson actually wrote.

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This week of Words is being hosted by poet Brian Dean Powers. We hope you enjoy his selections. Brian shares his poetry at The Body’s Heated Speech. I hope you will stop by to say hello. Thank you, Brian, for your support and for the beautiful Words. ~ Christy