There’s a certain Slant of light

There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons–
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes–

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us–
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the meanings are–

None may teach it–Any–
‘Tis the Seal Despair–
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air–

When it comes, the Landscape listens–
Shadows–hold their breath–
When it goes, ’tis like the Distance
On the look of Death–

-Emily Dickinson

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April 2, 2007

Are these poems for me? I have so far known them all despite being undereducated, you have to go more obscure! No, I was only on IV for a couple of days, just pills now. I feel a lot better, anyway.

April 3, 2007

I once had a poetry teacher order the class to write a five-page paper about our love affair with a poet. I chose Dickenson. I then proceeded to gratuitously quote Shakespeare and Simon & Garfunkle everywhere. I loved that paper.