I would not paint – a picture (Emily Dickinson)
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I would not paint — a picture —
I’d rather be the One
Its bright impossibility
To dwell — delicious — on —
And wonder how the fingers feel
Who rare — celestial — stir —
Evokes so sweet a Torment —
Such sumptuous — Despair —
I would not talk, like Cornets —
I’d rather be the One
Raised softly to the Ceilings —
And out, and easy on —
Through Villages of Ether —
Myself endued Balloon
By but a lip of Metal —
The pier to my Pontoon —
Nor would I be a Poet —
It’s finer — own the Ear —
Enamored — impotent — content —
The License to revere,
A privilege so awful
What would the Dower be,
Had I the Art to stun myself
With Bolts of Melody!
This is a wonderful poem about human creation. As far as my interpretation goes, I think the author intents to express that, rather than being an artist, she wants to be art in and of herself. I think this is a deeply religious statement, altough other interpretations may differ. Any comments?
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I’m working on a project & I need to take a picture of a metaphor or symbol that would represent this poem/idea and what it means, but not literally.
I think you are right, and I would be so glad if you could help me. (:
Remember, Emily Dickinson apparently didn’t just want to write poetry… she wanted to BE poetry, but that sort of metaphor is harder to illustrate visually. So it might be better to start your presentation with something that’s visually shocking and use it as introduction.
Maybe you get a picture of someone who’s covered in tattoos, or otherwise an artist who is himself his work of art? That would be a good way to introduce your argument, perhaps.
Good luck with your project! Let me know how it goes