The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Series Two
by Emily Dickinson
Nature, Poem 20: Old-Fashioned
Additional Information
- Year Published: 1896
- Language: English
- Country of Origin: United States of America
- Source: Dickenson, E. (1896). The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Series Two.Boston, MA: Roberts Brothers.
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Readability:
- Flesch–Kincaid Level: 6.6
- Word Count: 158
- Genre: Poetry
- Keywords: 19th century literature, american literature, emily dickinson, poems, poetry, series 2
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Arcturus is his other name, —
I'd rather call him star!
It's so unkind of science
To go and interfere!
I pull a flower from the woods, —
A monster with a glass
Computes the stamens in a breath,
And has her in a class.
Whereas I took the butterfly
Aforetime in my hat,
He sits erect in cabinets,
The clover-bells forgot.
What once was heaven, is zenith now.
Where I proposed to go
When time's brief masquerade was done,
Is mapped, and charted too!
What if the poles should frisk about
And stand upon their heads!
I hope I 'm ready for the worst,
Whatever prank betides!
Perhaps the kingdom of Heaven 's changed!
I hope the children there
Won't be new-fashioned when I come,
And laugh at me, and stare!
I hope the father in the skies
Will lift his little girl, —
Old-fashioned, naughty, everything, —
Over the stile of pearl!