Tag: Emily Dickinson

“When they come back” by Emily Dickinson

On By Christina's WordsIn Poetry, Reader Recommended1 Comment

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.

 

***

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

“Why do I love” You, Sir?” by Emily Dickinson

On By JennieIn Poetry

“Why do I love” You, Sir?
Because—
The Wind does not require the Grass
To answer—Wherefore when He pass
She cannot keep Her place.

Because He knows—and
Do not You—
And We know not—
Enough for Us
The Wisdom it be so—

The Lightning—never asked an Eye
Wherefore it shut—when He was by—
Because He knows it cannot speak—
And reasons not contained—
—Of Talk—
There be—preferred by Daintier Folk—

The Sunrise—Sire—compelleth Me—
Because He’s Sunrise—and I see—
Therefore—Then—
I love Thee—

~Emily Dickinson