We have walked very pleasantly - Perhaps this is the point at which our paths diverge - then pass on singing Sue, and up the distant hill I journey on.
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
Knowhing that Bird of mine
Though flown -
Learneth beyond the sea
Melody new for me
And will return.
Fast in safer hand
Held in a truer Land
Are min -
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.
Then will I not repine,
Knowing that Bird of mine
Though flown
Shall in distant tree
Bright melody for me
Return.
E.D.
Chiccoreal's Critique:
Dear readers of Emily Dickinson A-Poem-A-Day; I like reading the poems out loud after I have read through them once to get a feeling for the meaning, the rhythm, etc. I noticed that there is a personal aside or note on the top of this poem in reference to Sue; Emily's Best Friend as I had mentioned previously. I would think that this poem is an early poem when Emily is early teens or so. Emily talks about Sue singing and then discusses a robin singing and leaving. The "divergent paths" would mean perhaps a way of thinking or a philosophy. Perhaps Emily had a pact with Sue and this caused some disagreement because Sue did not keep the pact. I would think this pact may be not to marry. I don't know actually, I am assuming here. When I find out more about the history etc I may have to change this concept. Until then, I guess this is how I feel this poem is going.
The first stanza I am getting the feeling (if this poem is about Sue) that Sue somehow, is pulling away from Emily, maybe going out with boys, and not being as central a focus in Emily's life thus the line; "the spring decoys" maybe referring to boys due to the spring fever that captures the heart at this time. I guess the girls may be changing? Adolescence?
Emily's childhood friend Sue is growing up, both of them are growing up, and Emily feels somehow a distance from the "spring time of her life" I think Emily also may be referring to Sue as the "robin". (boy would I love to read critiques, analyzes, etc regarding this). However, I think the word "rose" refers to the girls blooming, become young women and things in their once exclusive relationship is changing. Thus "the robin" or Sue is "gone". She has found interest elsewheres; other than solely Emily's focus of friends. I think this is somewhat upsetting to Emily as Emily is a bit of a loner from what I have learned. However, there are reasons for this "hermitization" of Emily. To be discover by the end of the Emily Dickinson Discovery BTW (BY THE WAY).
I did go to Youtube and found quite a few poems by Emily Dickinson, read by some very excellent readers. There is one video that has the picture of Emily appear to be reading her poems. Oh it would be so incredible to have a recording of Emily's voice would it not? To hear her voice, Emily's voice would be amazing. I also got to have a "virtual tour" of Emily Dickinson's gravesite. That was amazing! All on Youtube; search; Emily Dickinson (no kidding!).
So on with the poem; "I have a bird in spring". I also notice that Emily does not capitalize in any way the titles to her poems. Sometimes I am not sure if the first line is the title of the poem. Maybe some where made without titles, as she got into the "meat" of her poem and figured that titles were unnecessary incumbrances to the "essence" of her dialogue with the reader. I am not sure if the readership was intended to be anyone other than the intended person whom Emily gave the poems. It may be that Emily wrote many poems in a confidential manner and had written in verse form as it was easier for her to communicate in this manner rather than regular conversation. Maybe verse put a certain "powerful" edge to her communication disclosing her intelligence, etc. Speculation here, but interesting nonetheless.
In this poem I noticed the word "repine" used twice. Interesting. As I had just used this word "repine" in my last poem regarding Emily. This is purely synchronistic is it not? Or am I not alone in the feeling that...something is wholly unusual. What could that be? I know that it is not possible to be...well...this is delving into something like reincarnation but you never know! Wouldn't that be wierd! However, I am definitely feeling some affinity here. I wonder how many girls feel this way (or women) ok...females. There ya go. What the heck does repine mean anyway...re pine furniture company. In Victorian tymes they loved the dark woods. Gloomy remember?
Oops! Emily had a typo! "Knowhing"? Since when is "knowing" spelled with an "h"? Hmmmm...I wonder if this is deliberate, and then I wonder if we can find out this, if it is a Freudian slip, what exactly in means in the context of the E.D. poems. We shall keep this noted.
Remember; "repine" a dog does that. They repine until they die for their master. The dog being "fido" or fidelis or loyal. Yes Emily sounds loyal as does her friendships. Obviously, loyalty means the world to Emily.Yet do I not repine
"Knowhing that Bird of mine
Though flown -
Learneth beyond the sea
Melody new for me
And will return."*
Emily does not feel so worried about Sue leaving to go (who knows where?). Emily in this 2nd stanza feels ok with the fact that Sue will return. And maybe in this line "Learneth beyond the sea" (remember the sea? In the last poem? meant...what? Eternity! Right! So Emily is ok with the fact that she imparted this wisdom in Sue and Sue will be back. Or maybe Sue is on a vacation across the sea, or to the sea. Maybe? We'll have to figure this out in time. Right now, again, speculation! Apparently Sue will be singing a new "Melody" for Emily and will tell her new things so it is worth the separation, etc.
"Fast in safer hand
Held in a truer Land
Are min -
And though they now depart,
Tell I my doubting heart
They're thine."*
In the third stanza, Emily seems to place all her fear and doubt in the Lord's hands. Although she does not directly mention the Lord. Emily refers to heaven and this "other land" more than directly to the Lord for some reason, maybe the transcendentalist nature which may be a reaction to the overtness and less liberalness of those surrounding her. I have to wonder if Emily were somehow angry at God, etc. Because she seems not wholly consumed with religious iconography. Maybe due to the extremism it may have produced in the Boston area? Salem witch trials? I do not know. It is an attitude in Emily that I am noticing here and will try to see is this attitude does continue into other works, etc. Remember; I may be totally wrong, but this is what I am gathering from her methods, etc.
Please note "min" is this a deliberate typo for "mine" or not? If not it is deliberately done meaning "minute". So latin reference, etc. Will check on these typos as well for an understanding and deciphering of what exactly E.D. is trying to say and convey in her many poems. A person does not write this many poems who is a slacker and simple; there may be deeper meaning. Besides Emily was only 10 when she entered college; wholly amazing to me! This is going to be interesting; if nothing else!
"In a more golden light
I see
Each little doubt and fear,
Each little discord here
Removed."
For Emily "golden light" means something. A profoundly personal experience religious or spiritual. This amazing vision has created a feeling that she "knows" something of the eternal designs and is no longer in fear of the unknown. The word "removed" said in this way is in my opinion, very modern.
"Then will I not repine,
Knowing that Bird of mine
Though flown
Shall in distant tree
Bright melody for me
Return."
Then she will not "repine" or extremely become emotionally attached knowing that the "Bird of mine" (notice the capital in Bird?) Now the golden light become a "Bright melody" as if the song, and the golden light that Emily knows is transcendental "eternity" a knowing that all is ok, that she shall return in body, not important as in spirit or essence; "Bright melody" being the essence of her friend Sue, who she sees as the Robin in this poem.
Again, "Return" like "Remove" is very modern usage in this poem. Emily is removing her doubt for her friend Sue's return with more melodious singing or talking about new discoveries that will lead to a further awakening of spirit in nature. Very transcendental talk here!
Chiccoreal's Poem:
Robin, Robin
Robin Sue
is growing now
flown the coop
Come home soon
Emily is awaiting you
She is worried
have you flown
She is hoping
and knowing
that
her golden light
and memory of
your Melody so sweet
will see her through
and knowing
that
all is well with you
and you will return
and much fun will ensue
with much new to do
to talk and dream about
Emily is so true
a dear
sweet
Friend
jj
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