Emily Dickinson's Nature Mysticism : A Photo Poetic Labyrinth : Prev | Index | Next

Circuit IV - (27) Nature Is What We See (J-0668) (F-0721) Listen to a Bobolink (wav, 487K)

(1) Nature is what we see,     The Hill, the Afternoon — (2) Squirrel, Eclipse, the Bumble-bee, Nay — Nature is Heaven. (3) Nature is what we hear,     The Bobolink, the Sea — (4) Thunder, the Cricket — Nay — Nature is Harmony. (5) Nature is what we know     But have no Art to say, (6) So impotent our Wisdom is To Her Simplicity. (Below: an original manuscript version without editing or imposed lineation.) (1) "Nature" is what   we see – The Hill – the Afternoon – (2) Squirrel – Eclipse –   the Bumble bee – Nay – Nature is Heaven – (3) Nature is what   we hear – The Bobolink – the Sea – (4) Thunder – the   Cricket – Nay – Nature is Harmony – (5) Nature is what   we know – Yet have no art to say – (6) So impotent our   Wisdom is To her Simplicity. ~ Emily Dickinson   Slideshow ~ Rudiments!

Commentary adapted from Emily Dickinson's Poems & Letters

(1-2) "The Bible must have had us in mind, when it gave that liquid Commandment [Behold the lilies of the field!] . . . Your account of the Lilies was so fresh I could almost pick them." ~ (L #897) (Biblical ref: Matthew 6:28-29)

(1-6) "How strange that Nature does not knock and yet does not intrude! ~ (L #510)

(1-6) "The single flower of the Earth that I, in passing by unconscious was — [that is] Great Nature's Face passed infinite by me." ~ (J-0978) (F-0843)

(3-4) "September's Baccalaureate a combination is of crickets — crows — and retrospects and a dissembling breeze." ~ (J-1271) (F-1313)

(3-4) "The tapestries of Paradise so notelessly — are made!" ~ (J-0278) (F-0306)

(5-6) "These are the visions baffled Guido — Titian never told — Domenichino dropped the pencil — powerless to unfold." ~ (J-0291) (F-0327)

(5-6) This is my letter to the World That never wrote to Me — The simple News that Nature told — With tender Majesty Her Message is committed To Hands I cannot see — For love of Her — Sweet — countrymen — Judge tenderly — of Me ~ (J-0441) (F-0519)

(6) "Nature, that Sweet Parishioner, trust her." (Fragment #91)

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