Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN SHADOW, by EMILY DICKINSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN SHADOW, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I dreaded that first robin so, / but he is mastered now
Last Line: Of their unthinking drums.
Subject(s): Pain; Spring; Suffering; Misery


I dreaded that first robin so,
But he is mastered now,
And I'm accustomed to him grown, --
He hurts a little, though.
I thought if I could only live
Till that first shout got by,
Not all pianos in the woods
Had power to mangle me.
I dared not meet the daffodils,
For feat their yellow gown
Would pierce me with a fashion
So foreign to my own.
I wished the grass would hurry,
So when 't was time to see,
He'd be too tall, the tallest one
Could stretch to look at me.
I could not bear the bees should come,
I wished they'd stay away
In those dim countries where they go:
What word had they for me?
They're here, though; not a creature failed,
No blossom stayed away
In gentle deference to me,
The Queen of Calvary.
Each one salutes me as he goes,
And I my childish plumes
Lift, in bereaved acknowledgement
Of their unthinking drums.




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