I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed (by Emily Dickinson)
Emily Dickinson
I taste a Liquor never brewed—
From Tankards scooped in Pearl—
Not all the Vats upon the Rhine
Yield such an Alcohol!
Inebriate of Air—am I—
And Debauchee of Dew—
Reeling—thro endless summer days—
From inns of Molten Blue—
When "Landlords" turn the drunken Bee
Out of the Foxglove's door—
When Butterflies—renounce their "drams"—
I shall but drink the more!
Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats—
And Saints—to windows run—
To see the little Tippler
Leaning against the—Sun—
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Warren Taylor was a beloved friend and highly respected member of the Oberlin faculty. After he retired Sanford invited him back to give a class on Emily Dickinson to the students of one of his Humanities Program's classes. I attended his lecture on Dickenson. It was great!!
Here is a poem I found that fits my nostalgia on these winter nights.
Wild Nights--Wild Nights
Wild Nights--Wild Nights!
Were I with thee
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!
Futile--the Winds--
To a Heart in port--
Done with the Compass--
Done with the Chart!
Rowing in Eden--
Ah, the Sea!
Might I but moor--Tonight--
In Thee! (c.1861)
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dickinson is the mother of modern poetry and the only quote i learned about her in school was that often-repeated "i'm nobody - are you nobody too" which i never particularly liked.
it wasn't until many yrs. later that i came to understand and appreciate the enormity of her contribution to the literary canon, not to mention the depth of her intellect.
here's one of my favorite e.d. quotes:
This is the Hour of Lead --
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow --
First --Chill --then Stupor --then the letting go --.
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Thank you, Chocolate! Very well said and much appreciated...
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