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

[Lydia Shutter]

It's amazing the understanding that comes with age. How sad you lost your friend when she was so young. I lost my first boyfriend in a car accident when he was only 18....so I understand the emotional spiral that sets off. Mindy was already a good poet at her age. What a shame she could not share more of her thoughts and words. Emily Dickinson's words mean different things at different stages of our lives...I wonder if she realized that and wrote them knowing. Guess we'll never know. Your heart is in this one, Rita. Beautifully written. lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Lydi...

[Tom]

All that lives must surely someday die and just about the only thing we can all be sure of as we journey through life !

A pleasant rhyming poem, soulfully and spiritually penned with a concise moral message! A little gem indeed Rita ! Bravo !!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Tom.

[Marie]

I love this poem by Emily Dickenson...I think I always understood this poem on some level...

[Rita L. Sev]

I was young, and it was something I had to experience before I understood... Thank you, Marie.

[1]

Wonderful tribute and realization! Powerfully written! Because we're rhyming poets in unison, I don't think the first stanza has any issues! It rhymed perfectly well for me, of course it's all how words are pronounced; but I got it right away! Thanks for sharing.....

Gus O.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Gus. I reworked that stanza quite a bit to accommodate my words with Mindy's. appreciate that you could see the flow.

[Will]

Chills down my spine with this one, Rita. A frightening discovery that we all make at some point along our life's journey. I love the rhyme and the almost melodic flow of this piece. It reads very well, although the first stanza is slightly awkward. That said, it is a very strong poem. Amazing job, my friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Will. I know the flow in the first stanza id different, but I wanted to include Mindy's words...

[Will]

Understandable. It's a great piece, Rita, for sure.

[Cassie]

Sorry for losing such a dear friend, at least she departed having left you with something and am glad now you understand

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Cassie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it takes years and much experience to get it...

but we finally get it...love emily.

[Rita L. Sev]

And one you get it, you never forget... Thank you, Jacob.

[Pryde Foltz]

I am reminded of the Corinthians for some reason. Powerful piece of love and acceptance.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Pryde.

[Sami Khalil]

I haven't met literally any of the three great ladies but they are all wonderful( a compliment to you too) . All talented with living talents...:)...................

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sami. I am honored to share this space with their words...

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:).................

[redflutterby]

Oh Rita...this immediately made me think of a friend who died in her early twenty's. She had married her highschool sweetheart and they had a baby boy. Then she was diagnosed with cancer...passed barely a year later. So terribly sad. Thank you for sharing this poem.

[Rita L. Sev]

So sad... There are just no guarantees... Thank you, Red, for reading and connecting.

[redflutterby]

No there isn't...even more reason to appreciate each day. You're welcome!!