16 April, 2009

Poem o' the Day

Emily Dickinson was one of the first poets I ever appreciated, possibly because she's succinct. After all of the complicated, flowery shite we got buried under in class, it was a relief to meet a poet able to make her point in a few powerful lines.

The woman had more insight into humanity than almost anyone else. Considering she was a shut-in before the age of the intertoobz, that's pretty remarkable.

Here's two of my favorites.

"Faith" is a fine invention

"Faith" is a fine invention
When Gentlemen can see—
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.

I took my Power in my Hand

I took my Power in my Hand—
And went against the World—
'Twas not so much as David—had—
But I—was twice as bold—

I aimed by Pebble—but Myself
Was all the one that fell—
Was it Goliath—was too large—
Or was myself—too small?

2 comments:

Nicole said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for including Dickinson's proper capitalization and punctuation! Too many editors edit them out, and do a disservice to her poetry as a result.

Chris said...

I asked no other thing,
No other was denied.
I offered Being for it;
The mighty merchant smiled.

Brazil? He twirled a button,
Without a glance my way:
"But, madam, is there nothing else
That we can show to-day?"