A Certain Slant of Light

February 17, 2006

There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.

None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.

~ Emily Dickinson

Posted by vincent at February 17, 2006 07:35 AM

Emily Dickinson is a colossus!! Little bitty hidden-away recluse woman who could move the earth with her poetry...

Posted by: eB at February 17, 2006 10:47 AM

Perfect companion pieces; photo and poem. Would make a lovely card.

Posted by: janet at February 17, 2006 04:32 PM

will be a card one day.. at least that's what I've heard already!

Posted by: susan at February 17, 2006 05:15 PM

Simply beautiful, Susan...

In your honor: I have a complementary (and complimentary) post up for all of you back East...

Posted by: dan at February 18, 2006 01:14 AM