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

[00000000000000000000000..]

That was really profound yet sad, Seems you were left a legacy:) Rita some words speak to us at the rite time Gods time:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jon - I am so glad that I can share her legacy in this small way.

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Yeah :) smiles believe me I understand:) I feel that way about a lot people been in my life and I know we all do feel that way , But a friend that writes yeah that make me smile a lot:) Your very welcome Rita my dear friend:)

[NeiL ArandA]

We do all at some point in our life to come into terms with our own mortality. To some its just an intruder that came barging into our lives uninvited . Everything change at the drop of the hat . How God really ordained each ones life here on earth is still a mystery to me . We don't really know when is our time. So we have to live day by day . We are not promise tomorrow, next week, month or next year. but only today. Today is really a gift that is why it's called present. A leaning tree is not always an indication of life that is about to fade. Things could happened at a blink of an eye.
They call this the great equalizer. Another great piece Ms Rita. It seems that you and Jack are on the roll here .

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Neil - you are absolutely right - tomorrow is not guaranteed, and today is a great gift.

[Jack...]

Rita, this is beautiful, sad, loving and everything else wrapped up together in a wonderful piece written by you, your departed friend and Emily. Very well done.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jack... I believe my friend was sitting with me as I wrote this...

[David Scott]

It is heaven to love someone enough that their parting brings you to the gates of hell.
I'm sorry to understand this now... Yet I'm glad you do as well.

[Rita L. Sev]

An understanding that comes with experience; and yes, we are blessed to have loved so much... Thank you, David.

[Angi]

Oh Rita. I am so sorry, honey. It is so hard to lose someone, especially when they are taken so young and so abruptly. This piece is beautifully woven with Mindy's words, your words and Emily's words. What Mindy said to you about Emily's poem gave me a shiver. Hugs, girlie. Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angi - I remember that conversation well, and I wish I could go back to that blissful ignorance...

[Eddie Phillips]

Rita this is beautiful. I just lost my grandfather who was like a father too me. Your poem touched me. Thank you for sharing.

[Rita L. Sev]

I am so sorry for your loss, Eddie. Thank you so much for connecting here...

[Renée]

A beautiful remembrance of a dear friendship … distance can not lessen such soul touching relationships.. I bet she smiled as you wrote those words.. ((Hugs))

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Renee. The thought of her smile brings bittersweet tears...

[Renée]

((hugs))..

[Anand Sehgal]

Life is so fragile, so ephemeral. A pensive truth.

[Rita L. Sev]

Amen, Anand. Thank you.

[Einstein Noodle]

so sorry for your loss ... friends are not easily kindled nor kept ... i am no stranger to sorrow and pain ... age absolutely changes things for us ... Emily is a lot divine ... and so very curtains on the wall ... your poem touches me deeply tonight Rita.. thank you!
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, E. Age has made me wiser, but her loss is still deeply felt... Thank you for connecting.

[Dr. Wood ?]

maybe it is our mortality that drives us on; even tho' we all know we are all driving in the same direction to the same end....It is so sad when young lives are ended, but life has no favourites and death is indiscriminate.....The poem was LOVELY

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Doc. I learned to embrace life all the more tightly with her passing...