Paper Packets

[Pendragon]

Paper Packets

She kept them bound up
in string-tied packets;
little pieces of condensed emotion—
seen by few; read by even fewer.

Just a quiet, faded flower
with an eye far beyond
the simple, grey existence
that she had carved out for herself.

I grew up with her poetry.
It was required reading in English Class.
Often we would discuss just what she meant by
“Hope is the thing with feathers…”

Strange, is it not,
that all of her silent, simple life,
she kept all of her emotions in a shoe-box—
in packets tied with string,

and people couldn’t see beyond the thorns,
and smell the fragrant roses
in the little paper packets—
until their author passed away…

Dale Harris
© 9/9/97

For Emily Dickinson

[Poppy]

I had a teacher like that Pen. Ms. Jean. A lit teacher. She was excellent but I didn't know it at the time. She had a disability, and other kids would make remarks about it. I never could join in. I felt sorry for her. But you know she was richer in spirit than I ever realized.

[CdnReader]

This is lovely, Pen.... I especially loved this stanza....



Strange, is it not,
that all of her silent, simple life,
she kept all of her emotions in a shoe-box—
in packets tied with string,


....which made me wonder if, for many of us, the computer or the internet with its tiny hidden locked-away places....are today's "packets tied with string." But the thing is, with these....they won't even come to notice after death. They'll just disappear into the ether....forever....

[TheFifthElement]

Another excellent poem Pen, I especially love the first two verses which set the scene beautifully.

[farnoosh]

great one pen

[blp]

Poor Ms. Dickinson. A simple, pretty piece, Pen. Well done.

[ampoule]

This is wonderful Pen, such a nice tribute to Em.