The Irreverence of Emily Dickinson
I love the playfulness of Emily Dickinson. I love the pose she puts on: the little girl pose, the mask of immaturity, the student needing to be taught, to be scolded, wanting it too. But all the while, she is giggling at your expense, at your most deeply held beliefs, your most sacred ideas. She manipulates them to her liking. She theorizes—moving from matter to abstraction then back again, presenting a stage play on a metaphysical scale, philosophy in verse.
The poems below follow a theme that border on the sacrilegious. They are an irreverent comparison between the human and the divine. They are a challenge. A love of mankind. A celebration of self.
Just so - Christ - raps -
He - does’nt weary -
First at the Knocker -
And then - at the Bell -
Then - on Divinest tiptoe standing -
Might he but spy the hiding soul!
When he - retires -
Chilled - or weary -
It will be ample time for me -
Patient - opon the steps - until then -
Heart - I am knocking low
At thee!
Why - do they shut me out of Heaven?
Did I sing - too loud?
But - I can say a little “minor”
Timid as a Bird!
Would’nt the Angels try me -
Just - once - more -
Just - see - if I troubled them -
But dont - shut the door!
Oh, if I - were the Gentleman
In the “White Robe” -
And they - were the little Hand - that knocked -
Could - I - forbid?
Over the fence -
Strawberries - grow -
Over the fence -
I could climb - if I tried, I know -
Berries are nice!
But - if I stained my Apron -
God would certainly scold!
Oh, dear, - I guess if He were a Boy -
He’d - climb - if He could!
Should you but fail at - Sea -
In sight of me -
Or doomed lie -
Next Sun - to die -
Or rap - at Paradise - unheard -
I’d harass God -
Until He let you in!
Father - I bring thee - not myself -
That were the little load -
I bring thee the imperial Heart
I had not strength to hold -
The Heart I cherished in my own
Till mine - too heavy grew -
Yet - strangest - heavier - since it went -
Is it too large for you?
Did we disobey Him?
Just one time!
Charged us to forget Him -
But we could’nt learn!
Were Himself - such a Dunce -
What would we - do?
Love the dull lad - best -
Oh, would’nt you?