I have a Bird in spring

I have a Bird in spring 
Which for myself doth sing – 
The spring decoys. 
And as the summer nears – 
And as the Rose appears, 
Robin is gone.

Yet do I not repine 
Knowing that Bird of mine 
Though flown – 
Leaneth beyond the sea 
Melody new for me 
And will return.

Fast is a safer hand 
Held in a truer Land 
Are mine – 
And though they now depart, 
Tell I my doubting heart 
They’re thine.

In a serener Bright, 
In a more golden light 
I see 
Each little doubt and fear, 
Each little discord here 
Removed.

Emily’s friend Susan was engaged with her brother Austin. The couple planned to start their lives in an urban city. Emily was upset with the news. The couple was persuaded to stay in Amherst. Emily felt relieved and sent a letter with this poem. Susan is compared to a Robin.

In spring I have a Bird 
Which sings for me
And enchants the spring. 
And as the summer nears
And as the Rose appears,
Robin is gone.

Yet I do not fret,
Though flown,
My Bird learns new melody for me
Beyond the sea
And will return.

A safe hand is firm
In a true Land -
Held melodies are mine
And though they now depart, 
I tell my doubting heart 
They’re yours.

In a serener Bright, 
In a more golden light 
I see 
Each little doubt and fear, 
Each little discord here 
Is removed.

#emily dickinson riddle#decoy#rose#robin#fast#repine#serene#bright#doubt#discord

Morning is due to all —

Morning is due to all —
To some — the Night —
To an imperial few —
The Auroral light.

A few people are allowed to appreciate the Aurora.

Morning is due to all —
Night is due to some —
The Aurora Is due
To an imperial few —

The Color of a Queen, is this ―

The Color of a Queen, is this ―
The Color of a Sun
At setting ― this and Amber ―
Beryl ― and this, at Noon ―

And when at night ― Auroran widths
Fling suddenly on men ―
‘Tis this ― and Witchcraft ― nature keeps
A Rank ― for Iodine ―

There is a Rank from natural Purple (Queen) to synthetic Iodine (witchcraft).

This is the Color of a Queen ―
The color of a Sun setting ―
Further Amber ―
And Beryl ― the color at Noon―

And at Dawn Auroran curtains
Widely spread on men ―
And Witchcraft―nature keeps
A Rank for Iodine.

Aurora is the effort

Aurora is the effort
Of the Celestial Face
Unconsciousness of Perfectness
To simulate, to Us.

Aurora makes efforts to be unconscious of her Beauty.

Aurora is the effort
Of the Ethereal Expression
To show unconsciously
Her Perfect Beauty.

OF Bronze–and Blaze–

OF Bronze–and Blaze–

The North–Tonight–

So adequate–it forms–

So preconcerted with itself–

So distant–it alarms–

An Unconcern so sovereign

To Universe, or me–

Infects my simple spirit

With Taints of Majesty–

Till I take vaster attitudes–

And strut upon my stem–

Disdaining Men, and Oxygen,

For Arrogance of them―

My Splendors, are Menagerie–

But their Unrivaled Show

Will entertain the Centuries

When I am, long ago,

An Island in dishonored Grass–

Whom none but Beetles–know.

Emily takes a breath by the overwhelmingly cool beauty of the Aurora.

Tonight, the North

Of Bronze and Blaze

Forms so adequate,

And established with itself,

It alarms so distant

So sovereign indifference

To Universe, or me

And infects my simple spirit

With spot of Majesty

Till I take vaster attitudes

And stand upon my stem

Disdaining Men, and Oxygen,

For Arrogance of them―

My Splendors, are varieties–

But their Unmatched Show

Will entertain the Centuries

When I am just an Island

In abandoned Grass

That only Beetles know.

Nature－sometimes sears a Sapling－

Nature－sometimes sears a Sapling－
Sometimes－scalps a Tree－
Her Green People recollect it
When they do not die－

Fainter Leaves－to Further Seasons－
Dumbly testify－
We－who have the Souls－
Die oftener－Not so vitally－

Nature’s robust plants recover soon, because they don’t have souls unlike us.

Nature sometimes scorches a young tree－
Sometimes makes it bald－
Her Green Plants recollect it
When they survive the drought－

Fainter Leaves silently testify
To Further Seasons－
We, who have the souls,
Not so vitally die oftener－

Count not that far that can be had,

Count not that far that can be had,
Though sunset lie between —
Nor that adjacent, that beside,
Is further than the sun.

Don’t depend on the visual proximity of stars.

Don’t judge visual proximity of two beside stars
When sunset lie between —
Nor another visually adjacent
When it is further than the sun.

I had no Cause to be awake —

I had no Cause to be awake —
My Best — was gone to sleep —
And Morn a new politeness took —　
And failed to wake them up —　

But called the others — clear —
And passed their Curtains by —
Sweet Morning — when I oversleep —
Knock — Recollect — to Me —

I looked at Sunrise — Once —
And then I looked at Them —
And wishfulness in me arose —
For Circumstance the same —

‘Twas such an Ample Peace —
It could not hold a Sigh —
'Twas Sabbath — with the Bells divorced —
'Twas Sunset — all the Day —

So choosing but a Gown —
And taking but a Prayer —
The only Raiment I should need —
I struggled — and was There —

Emily enjoyed the polar night. She was reluctant to join the morning prayer. 

I had no Cause to be awake —
My Best was to go to sleep —
And Morn took a new politeness
And failed to wake them up —　

But the others called clear
And parted their Curtains —
Sweet Morning when I oversleep —
I noticed the Knock —

I looked at Sunrise once
And then I looked at them —
And yearning for the same condition
Arose in me—

'Twas such an Ample Peace —
It could not hold a Sigh —
'Twas Sunday except for the sound of Bells
'Twas Sunset all the Day —

So choosing only a Gown —
And taking only a Prayer —
I searched the only accessory
I should need which was there

I see thee better — in the Dark —

I see thee better — in the Dark —
I do not need a Light —
The Love of Thee — a Prism be —
Excelling Violet —

I see thee better for the Years
That hunch themselves between —
The Miner’s Lamp — sufficient be —
To nullify the Mine —

And in the Grave — I see Thee best —
Its little Panels be
Aglow — All ruddy — with the Light
I held so high, for Thee —

What need of Day —
To Those whose Dark — hath so — surpassing Sun —
It deem it be — Continually —
At the Meridian?

Emily is fascinated by Fluorite Stone

I see thee better in the Dark —
I do not need a Light —
The Love of Thee be a Prism
Excelling Violet —

I see thee better for the Years
That hunch themselves between —
The Miner’s Lamp be sufficient be
To illuminate the Mine —

And I see Thee best in the Grave —
Its little Panels be glowing
All rosy with the Light
I held so high, for Thee —

I do not need Day in the Dark
For it has so excellent Sun —
It deem it be Continually
At the Meridian.

Brother of Ingots ― Ah Peru ―

Brother of Ingots ― Ah Peru ―
Empty the Hearts that purchased you ―

―

Sister of Ophir ―
Ah, Peru ―
Subtle the Sum
That purchase you ―

―

Brother of Ophir
Bright Adieu,
Honor, the shortest route
To you.

Emily Dickinson

Emily is indulged in her phantasy. She sighs” Peru” when she is fascinate by Golden Sunset and worships Peru (prosperous country of Gold) and compares the bright Sunset with rich Peru.  Ophir is also the famous mine which supported David and Solomon’s glory. However, Sunset is the cheapest and shortest way to get the pure Gold.

Brother of Ingots ― Ah Peru ―
Offer the Hearts to acquire Sunset ―

―

Sister of Ophir ―
Ah, Peru ―
How subtle is the Sum
To obtain you ―

―

Brother of Ophir
Bright Sunset,
Worship the shortest route
To Peru.

She sights a Bird — she chuckles —

She sights a Bird — she chuckles —
She flattens — then she crawls —
She runs without the look of feet —
Her eyes increase to Balls —

Her Jaws stir — twitching — hungry —
Her Teeth can hardly stand —
She leaps, but Robin leaped the first —
Ah, Pussy, of the Sand,

The Hopes so juicy ripening —
You almost bathed your Tongue —
When Bliss disclosed a hundred Toes —
And fled with every one —

Emily Dickinson

A ground-nesting Robin barely escaped from a Cat.

She finds a Bird — she grins —
She flattens — then she crawls —
She runs at high speed —
Her eyes grow to be Balls —

Her hungry Jaws stir twitching ——
Her Teeth can hardly bear —
She leaps, but Robin leaped at first —
Ah, Cat, on the dirt,

The juicy ripening Hopes—
You almost wetted your Tongue —
When Bliss disclosed a hundred Toes —
And fled with every one —

It was a quiet way —

It was a quiet way —
He asked if I was his —
I made no answer of the Tongue
But answer of the Eyes —
And then He bore me on
Before this mortal noise
With swiftness, as of Chariots
And distance, as of Wheels –
This World did drop away
As Acres from the feet
Of one that leaneth from Balloon
Upon an Ether street.
The Gulf behind was not,
The Continents were new —
Eternity it was before
Eternity was due.
No Seasons were to us —
It was not Night nor Morn —
But Sunrise stopped upon the place
And fastened it in Dawn.

Emily Dickinson

An apocryphal version of Emily’s Vision! Jesus revealed her the world of Eternity before she got Eternity.  In the New world of Resurrection, she found no Sunset or Night but only Sunrise that stood still, because Paradise is immortal and changeless. How boring is the Paradise? She could not enjoy gorgeous Sunset or sweet sleep.

It was a quiet way —
He asked if I was his love—
I made no answer of the Tongue
But answer of the Eyes —
And then He bore me on
Before this extreme noise
As speedy as Chariots
And distant as Wheels –
The Earth did drop away
As soil from the feet
Of one that leans from Balloon
Upon a Sky street.
The Gulf was not behind,
The world were new —
It was Eternity
Before Eternity was due.
No Seasons were to us —
It was not Night nor Morn —
But Sunrise stopped upon the place
And it fastened in Dawn.

No Brigadier throughout the Year

No Brigadier throughout the Year
So civic as the Jay.
A neighbor and a warrior too,
With shrill felicity

Pursuing winds that censure us
A February day,
The brother of the universe
Was never blown away.

The snow and he are intimate;
I ’ve often seen them play
When heaven looked upon us all
With such severity,

I felt apology were due
To an insulted sky,
Whose pompous frown was nutriment
To their temerity.

The pillow of this daring head
Is pungent evergreens;
His larder―terse and militant―
Unknown, refreshing things;

His character a tonic,
His future a dispute;
Unfair an immortality
That leaves this neighbor out.

Emily Dickinson

In blue uniform, the Jay is a military leader though inhabitant in urban region. He is well-disciplined and least vulnerable to any severe situation. Emily thinks it is unfair such a prominent bird could not enjoy immortality after his death because he is not human.

Through the Year no Military is
So civic as the Jay.
A neighbor and a warrior too,
With sharp joy

Pursuing winds that chasten us
A February day,
The brother of the sky
Was never blown away.

He is intimate with snow;
I ’ve often seen them play
When heaven looked upon us all
With such severity,

I felt apology were due
To an insulted sky,
Whose pompous frown was nutriment
To their temerity.

The pillow of this daring head
Is pungent evergreens;
His larder―terse and militant―
Unknown, refreshing things;

His character a tonic,
His future is disputable;
It is unfair to leave” immortality”
Out of this neighbor.

Midsummer, was it, when They died —

Midsummer, was it, when They died —
A full, and perfect time —
The Summer closed upon itself
In Consummated Bloom —

The Corn, her furthest kernel filled
Before the coming Flail —
When These — leaned unto Perfectness —
Through Haze of Burial —

Emily Dickinson

Harvest is described in her metaphorical terms of Death: “died” and “Burial” are compared to “ripened” and ”perfectness” respectively.

When the Wheats ripened, Midsummer was
A full and perfect time —
The Summer was leaving
In final and full Bloom —

The Wheat filled her furthest kernel
Before the threshing Flail —
When wheats leaned unto Perfectness
Through Haze of Burial —

‘Twas later when the summer went

‘Twas later when the summer went
Than when the cricket came,
And yet we knew that gentle clock
Meant nought but going home.

'Twas was sooner when the cricket went
Than when the winter came,
Yet that pathetic pendulum
Keeps esoteric time.

Emily Dickinson

We recognize the seasonal change by mysterious chorus of crickets.

'Twas later when the summer went
Than when the cricket came,
And yet we knew that gentle clock
Meant only going back home.

'Twas was sooner when the cricket went
Than when the winter came,
Yet we knew that sorrowful pendulum
Keeps secret time.

Had I not seen the Sun

Had I not seen the Sun
I could have borne the shade
But Light a newer Wilderness
My Wilderness has made —

Emily Dickinson

Light helps change my wilderness into newer one.

If I had not seen the Sun
I could have stood the shade
But Light has made my Wilderness
A newer Wilderness —

Emily Dickinson

Reverse cannot befall

Reverse cannot befall
That fine Prosperity
Whose Sources are interior —
As soon — Adversity

A Diamond — overtake
In far — Bolivian Ground —
Misfortune hath no implement
Could mar it — if it found —

Emily Dickinson

If Bolivian people found a Diamond, they had no cutting skill. Diamond was just a stone stone.

Adversity cannot befall
That large Prosperity
Whose Sources are intellectual —
Adversity rather

Overtake a Diamond
In far Bolivian Ground —
Unfortunately they have no cutting tool
And could only cheapen it if she found —

A Diamond on the Hand

A Diamond on the Hand

To Custom Common grown

Subsides from its significance

The Gem were best unknown ―

Within a Seller's Shrine

How many sight and sigh

And cannot, but are mad for fear

That any other buy.

Emily Dickinson

Diamonds are Common now, but women are so possessive. They dare order another redundant one.

A Diamond on the finger

Has become Common Custom

And lost the significance of

The Gem’s rarity value―

In a vanity fair

Many view unaffordable items

With a sigh, but go mad for fear

Of any other buy.

‘Tis as hid as Death

‘Tis as hid as Death
Had for that specific treasure
A departing breath ―
Surfaces may be invested
Did the Diamond grow
General as the Dandelion
Would you serve it so?

Emily Dickinson

We have no witness from anyone, who passed away. Traditionally cruel Death is told to be vulnerable to bribery. Women are cosmetically conscious even on their deathbed. They want to look peaceful. Some women offered bribery of Diamond for the last breath.Would you try? 

None who saw it witnessed it
The legend is as hidden as Death had
A departing breath ―
In exchange of that specific treasure
Peaceful faces may be given
If the Diamond grew
Common as the Dandelion
Would you offer it?