The Keats-Shelley Blog

8 November 2019

Keats-Shelley Prize Songbird Poet of the Week 6 - Emily Dickinson

Two robin-songbird poems by another of the 19th century's greatest poets. Inspiration for 2020's Keats-Shelley Prizes.

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I shall keep singing!
Birds will pass me
On their way to Yellower Climes —
Each — with a Robin's expectation —
I — with my Redbreast —
And my Rhymes —

Late — when I take my place in summer —
But — I shall bring a fuller tune —
Vespers — are sweeter than Matins — Signor —
Morning — only the seed of Noon —

 

285

The Robin's my Criterion for Tune —
Because I grow — where Robins do —
But, were I Cuckoo born —
I'd swear by him —
The ode familiar — rules the Noon —
The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom —
Because, we're Orchard sprung —
But, were I Britain born,
I'd Daisies spurn —
None but the Nut — October fit —
Because, through dropping it,
The Seasons flit — I'm taught —
Without the Snow's Tableau
Winter, were lie — to me —
Because I see — New Englandly —
The Queen, discerns like me —
Provincially —

Emily Dickinson

Details of 2020's Keats-Shelley Prize click here.

Details of 2020's Young Romantics Prize click here.