Pandemic Poetry 7

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? Each week during the "stay home" order there will be a post of lines from her work, along with some needed if irreverent updating (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me).

There is no frigate' like a book

   To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

   Of prancing poetry.

                       -Dickinson

There's no accessory like a mask

   To make you safe and cozy,

And banish thoughts of far off lands

   The news reports "less rosy. . . ."

                       -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 6

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? Each week during the "stay home" order there will be a post of lines from her work, along with some needed if irreverent updating (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me).


Wild nights! Wild nights!
Were I with thee,
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!
               -Dickinson


Simple jaunts, simple jaunts!
A store without a line. . .   
reunion with my hairdresser
similarly would be fine!
                -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 5

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? Each week during the "stay home" order there will be a post of lines from her work, along with some needed if irreverent updating (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me).


I taste a liquor never brewed,
From tankards scooped in pearl;
Not all the vats upon the Rhine
yield such an alcohol!
                           -Dickinson


I drink of a trip never taken,
though planned waaaay back in fall; 
oh, think of all we didn't do. . . .
Damned virus has such gall!!!
                                           -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 4

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? Each week during the "stay home" order there will be a post of lines from her work, along with some needed if irreverent updating (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me).

This is my letter to the world,

  That never wrote to me-

The simple news that Nature told,

  With tender majesty.

                            -Dickinson

This is my post to the readers

who never commented here, 
I know you're there- do you really care,
in the covid nineteen year?  Huh?

Just wondering.
                                                   -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 3

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? During "stay home" order there will be frequent posts from her work, along with updating in the service of preserving sanity (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me!). So check back often, and feel free to join in this irreverent project.

I'm nobody! Who are you?

Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us- don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.

How drear to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
                                  -Dickinson
                           

I'm anonymous, you too?
Shmatahs don't reveal who's who!
They cover the face, leave only the eyes,
it's so damn hard to recognize (anyone)!

Once 'twas fun to share your "hi!"
& greet each one by name-
mysterious souls now nod "hello" ( who are they??)-
Honestly, it's not the same.                                                    
                                                  -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 2

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? During "stay home" order there will be frequent posts from her work, along with updating in the service of preserving sanity (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me!). So check back often, and feel free to join in this irreverent project.

Tell all the truth but tell it slant-
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our inform Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind-

                                          -Dickinson

Report the truth? Nay, Say it slant!

the ratings thrive on lies,

all sorts of fun deceptions

to shield and fool our eyes.

First they said the main thing:

no sunny crowds to bask,

no hoarding of the "PPE" gear-

but now? Do wear a mask!!!
                          -Storyweaver

Pandemic Poetry 1

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the great metaphysical poet and literary recluse, voluntarily sheltered in place and treasured her solitude. What greater source of inspiration for surviving the times? During "stay home" order there will be frequent posts from her work, along with updating in the service of preserving sanity (and for which I know her lyrical spirit will forgive me!). So check back often, and feel free to join in this irreverent project.

The soul selects her own society,
Then shuts the door;
On her divine majority
Obtrude no more.

                             -Dickinson

The virus loves society,

so we all sit home and kvetch

in self-dealt isolation,

This germ poop not to catch.

                    -Storyweaver