As if some little Arctic flower

As if some little Arctic flower
Upon the polar hem —
Went wandering down the Latitudes
Until it puzzled came
To continents of summer —
To firmaments of sun —
To strange, bright crowds of flowers —
And birds, of foreign tongue!
I say, As if this little flower
To Eden, wandered in —
What then? Why nothing,
Only, your inference therefrom!

Emily Dickinson

Indian Pipe

As if a little white flower
Upon the polar edge —
Went wandering down the Latitudes
Until it came confused
With continents of summer —
With heaven of sun —
With strange, bright crowds of flowers —
And birds, of foreign song!
I say, As if this little flower
Wandered into Eden—
What then? Why nothing,
I leave that to your imagination!

* Emily may refer “arctic flower” to an Indian pipe. But I also imagine a white-complexioned Russian girl. Emily’s family invited immigrant Russians for meal. It inspires several poems.