Parting

and by M. J. Y. and Emily Dickinson

The whole movement of existence

Upon this we would mull;

Material to spiritual,

Slow but inevitable

 

We didn’t think, in naïve youth

We’d touch this truth so soon

But fate does not discriminate ~

No mortal is immune

 

And now when Life seems toilsome

In middle-aged ennui

My mind will turn to what we learn

In words from Emily

 

I did not understand them, then

But now I know too well ~

Parting is all we know of heaven,

And all we need of hell.

 

Author's Note

On November 5, 1990 a dear friend was killed in a car accident; she was 22. She had introduced me to the poems of Emily Dickinson, and when I read "My Life Closed Twice..." in my lucky innocence I said, "I don't get it." She said that I would someday...

The italicized lines in the first stanza are Mindy's, from a poem she had written. The final lines, of course, are Emily's.

Reviews

[ANTO]

I didn't know grief until this year Rita and I considered myself 'lucky' because of it and now I realise I wasn't just 'lucky' - I was ignorant. This is a fine collaboration from 3 of the finest.

[Rita L. Sev]

I am so sorry that you have had recent grief, Anto - there is no balm, only time. If we are wise, we learn to love harder those who are still with us... All these years later, I still grieve for my friend, and I hold my loved ones even closer... Thank you.

[ANTO]

"...we learn to love harder those who are still with us..." - now those are wise and wonderful words Rita. thank you

[Frieda P]

Such beauty that came out of devastation, this is tragic but so well written, sorry for the late reply, trying to catch up. You and Em pair up quite well Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Frieda. Mindy sharing poetry - her own and Emily Dickinson's - was a gift that I treasure still...

[kublakhan27]

Where do I begin? This is a devastating piece, and I'm so sorry you had to lose a dear friend that way at that age. It truly puts things in perspective and makes us aware of our own mortality. Even though I'm male, I've always related to Dickinson, not just her poetry but her life story. She was never published until after her death, which brings an all-too-real sense of irony to the story you've told here. But I'm sure your friend is out there somewhere, and is touched by your preservation of her memory, and blessed to have known you.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, K. Dickinson's poetry is universal, and you are so right that her lessons are not only in her poetry, but in her life. That is the legacy that Mindy gave to me, and I am honored to share her words here too.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

So sad...and so touching. This was beautifully tragic, and the feelings all culminate so beautifully in the final lines, which were really the apex of the piece in terms of inspiration. The innocence of youth is so often overlooked...and then suddenly we are living as adults and feeling all those things that we never imagined that we would, both good and bad. *sigh* This is a heavy one.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sarah. Heavy - yes. Experience weighs us down at times...

[s y e]

This is perfection on my screen Rita - not much more I can say to be honest.

Perfect.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Noodle...

[Sarai Lee]

Wow, this piece really touched my heart and gave me goosebumps. You hit on the words and the "hell"of parting so well. Your sadness is evident, and I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. I think she would be honored though to be paired so well in a poem along Dickinson. You did a great job with this. I love the stanza

"We didn't think, in naive youth.
We’d touch this truth so soon
But fate does not discriminate
No mortal is immune"

It's so true, that none of us will be immune to loss. Well done and beautifully written!
~sarah

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Sarah. I appreciate your kind words.

[Epipsychologist]

This is a powerful one. It stands on its own, but the author's not makes it even more touching. Sorry about your friend. I also really like the first stanza. It sets up the message that the last stanza hammers home. Essentially, that we learn too late that life is too short.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Epi. Whenever I think of her, I am thankful for the moment - a moment she did not get - and I try to do all the good I can to make my life worthy of the gift of time...

[Angel]

Very thought provoking...
I truly needed to read this today.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel. This was a hard one to write, but I am glad to have others thinking about Mindy, pondering her words and her life... too short for all of us, really...

[Aehr]

I'm sorry for your loss, Rita. Loosing someone is really hard.
The poem is beautiful though. The way you've blended the work of three poets to form this powerful one is splendid. The last stanza is fantastic.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you very much, Rhea. I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece.