Rethink.

“Me, change! Me, alter!” (268) Emily Dickinson Me, change! Me, alter! Then I will, when on the Everlasting Hill A Smaller Purple grows – At sunset, or a lesser glow Flickers upon Cordillera – At Day’s superior close! Comment: What exactly is the difference between “change” and “alter?” Dickinson forces us to do our homework; …

“A Moth the hue of this…” (841) Emily Dickinson A Moth the hue of this Haunts Candles in Brazil. Nature’s Experience would make Our Reddest Second pale. Nature is fond, I sometimes think, Of Trinkets, as a Girl. Comment: At least two other poems by Dickinson featuring the word “Brazil” are about female sexuality: I’m …

“I fear a Man of frugal Speech…” (543) Emily Dickinson I fear a Man of frugal Speech – I fear a Silent Man – Haranguer – I can overtake – Or Babbler – entertain – But He who weigheth – While the Rest – Expend their furthest pound – Of this Man – I am …

“I dwell in Possibility…” (657) Emily Dickinson I dwell in Possibility – A fairer House than Prose – More numerous of Windows – Superior – for Doors – Of Chambers as the Cedars – Impregnable of Eye – And for an Everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky – Of Visitors – the fairest – …

“I’m Nobody! Who are you?” (288) Emily Dickinson I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – Too? Then there’s a pair of us! Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know! How dreary – to be – Somebody! How public – like a Frog – To tell one’s name – the livelong June – …

“Hope” is the thing with feathers… (254) Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That …