“Sumptuous Destitution”
by
Anne Carson
“Sumptuous destitution”
Your opinion gives me a serious feeling. I would like to be what you deem me.
(Emily Dickinson letter 319 to Thomas Higginson)
is a phrase
You see my position is benighted.
(Emily Dickinson letter 268 to Thomas Higginson)
scholars use
She was too enigmatical a being for me to solve in an hours interview.
(Thomas Higginson letter 342a to Emily Dickinson)
of female
God made me [Sir] Master—I didn’t be—myself.
(Emily Dickinson letter 233 to Thomas Higginson)
silence.
Rushing among my small heart—and pushing aside the blood—
(Emily Dickinson letter 248 to Thomas Higginson)
Save what you can, Emily.
And when I try to organize—my little Force explodes—and leaves me bare and charred.
(Emily Dickinson letter 271 to Thomas Higginson)
Save every bit of thread.
Have you a little chest to put the Alive in?
(Emily Dickinson letter 233 to Thomas Higginson)
One of them may be
By Cock, said Ophelia.
(Emily Dickinson letter 268 to Thomas Higginson)
the way out of here
In this short Life that only lasts an hour
How much – how little – is within our power
Emily Dickinson (poem 1287)
“Publication – is the Auction”
by
Emily Dickinson
Publication—is the Auction
Of the Mind of Man—
Poverty—be justifying
For so foul a thingPossibly—but We—would rather
From Our Garret go
White—Unto the White Creator—
Than invest—Our Snow—Thought belong to Him who gave it—
Then—to Him Who bear
Its Corporeal illustration—Sell
The Royal Air—In the Parcel—Be the Merchant
Of the Heavenly Grace—
But reduce no Human Spirit
To Disgrace of Price—
