It might be lonelier
by Elouise
I see myself in this poem. And my mother. And other women I’ve known who seem to wear a mantel of sorrow, even when they’re happy. My comments follow.
It might be lonelier
Without the Loneliness –
I’m so accustomed to my Fate –
Perhaps the Other – Peace –Would interrupt the Dark –
And crowd the little Room –
Too scant – by Cubits – to contain
The Sacrament – of Him –I am not used to Hope –
It might intrude upon –
Its sweet parade – blaspheme the place –
Ordained to Suffering –It might be easier
To fail – with Land in Sight –
Than gain – My Blue Peninsula –
To perish – of Delight –c. 1862
Emily Dickinson Poems, Edited by Brenda Hillman
Shambhala Pocket Classics, Shambhala 1995
Emily already knows Loneliness and perhaps wants something else. Yet she fears that giving it up will lead to even greater Loneliness. Her life might not have enough room for Peace, Hope or Delight—in addition to Loneliness.
Change of that magnitude would make too much noise, demand too much space. Intrude upon the Lonely, Dark existence she experiences in her crowded little Room. Or worse, she might lose the little everyday happiness and security she already has in her crowded little Room. I take this to be her life, a life of creative solitude and family duties.
In addition, Emily says her little Room might be too crowded for Him. Who is He? Perhaps a man or someone else who wants to be in her life? Or perhaps the One who offers her the Sacrament of Peace and Hope, with or without anyone else in her life? I don’t know.
It seems a sense of Fate hangs heavy over Emily’s life, taking up almost all the room or energy she has for human emotions of Delight. Yes, she may welcome relief from time to time, but the cost of giving up her Ordination to Suffering seems too heavy to bear.
Emily hasn’t renounced happiness. It still manages to creep in. Yet giving herself completely to Delight might annihilate her. She wouldn’t be able to count on predictability or control. Perhaps she wouldn’t be able to write as much. Perhaps she wouldn’t be safe from betrayal or disappointment. Her worst fears might be realized.
In the end, Emily would rather drown with land in sight, than arrive only to “perish – of Delight.”
This poem may not be gender-specific, yet in my experience a similar debate rages inside many women. Especially when the heavy hand of authority keeps reminding them of their Fate. That to which they were Ordained–duties and distractions that don’t allow space or time to exercise personal gifts and welcome Delight into their lives.
This is Women’s History Month. I celebrate women the world over who had a late start or haven’t yet found Delight, Hope and Peace in this world. If women seem complicated and unpredictable, maybe that’s because we’ve lived multiple lives for too long. Masking and denying our true selves to survive. Creatively. The way Emily survived.
I celebrate Emily Dickinson’s creativity. Her poetry speaks to me about courage and commitment to truth. Best of all, her enigmatic voice lives on, suggesting a different, slanted way to view the natural world and the dynamics of our inner and outer lives.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 5 March 2017
Photo found at bloggingdickinson.blogspot.com
Nice one .. 🙂
https://tyagipayal.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/know-your-purpose/
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Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
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This one speaks to my heart and soul this morning Elouise, a gift unintended but a gift none the less ❤ she was a wise poet and I thank you for sharing this particular piece, Hey Lucy ❤
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I’m so happy it spoke to you. I relate to it as well–surprise, surprise. Lucy says she’s thinking about you today. 🙂
Elouise
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I’m glad, she must have heard my heart beating from the vet, Chi in for surgery for a hematoma on her ear, trying to sedate her didn’t go well, a technician got scratched enough to warrant stitches. Guess my girl made her mark, wish her luck and cross your fingers, gonna be a long day. Trying to keep calm, sigh…..
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Deep breaths and calm thoughts. Yes. Just do it and let go. Poor Chi and I’m glad I’m not the vet or the technician. Ears are so touchy. Praying everyone survives. Elouise
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she was never a good vet patient, I think the vets office is now a bit freaked out, and they were just voted #1 vet in our city. She is quite verbal, and not in a good way, startled some of their new customers (of which today, we were too ) hope we don’t get blackballed now….sigh.
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Oh my…I’d probably hope they’d sedate her and then do the procedure. Though that’s not a solution for everything….Smudge is also a fighter. So far, however, the assistant holding him down has at least calmed me down (as I stand by watching)! She doesn’t waste any time getting him in a headlock…not brutal, but firm. And Smudge is probably much smaller than your Chi. And without the same verbal skills. Don’t you love first impressions? I hope you’re both welcome to come back when needed after today’s adventure! 🙂
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there were two of us holding her down and the vet behind trying to administer the shot to calm her, she bucked and threw off the technician cutting her with her claw at the same time, trying to bite everyone, that’s why they have to muzzle her, every vet has had their hands full with her, I’m still trying to lower my blood pressure, feels like i’ve been awake for 30 hours, just drained, physically and emotionally/mentally. They said they would give me pills so the next time she comes in, she can be semi sedated/calm before hand. that will be a big help for sure. Poor apple looked so perplexed as to why she wasn’t going on our morning walk, not realizing it was only to the car. We took her when we got back but she’s off, knowing chi isn’t here to pal with. Crossing my fingers for a full recovery, etc… haven’t heard yet how it’s going. Waiting for a call ❤
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Yikes! sounds like the great adventure you never wanted. I KNOW you’re taking extra good care of yourself right now–and Apple! Deep breaths for everyone–I’m taking some for you right now! 🙂
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They just called, she’s doing good and I can pick her up at 3:30🙏🏻☮💕💜🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾😊a happy Mom and Dad😊💕
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Awwww….what a happy ending! 😊
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[…] family, friends, neighbors and strangers against each other. I’m also lonely—feeling like Emily Dickinson’s poem from the inside out. Yet hungry for time alone, especially in the evening, and for music to sooth […]
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