Emily Dickinson

Life XX. Arcturus is his other name (20)

Part One: Life

 
            XX
 
ARCTURUS is his other name,—
I ’d rather call him star!
It ’s so unkind of science
To go and interfere!
 
I slew a worm the other day—
A “Savant” passing by
Murmured “Resurgam”—"Centipede"!
“Oh Lord—how frail are we”!
 
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—naught—everything—
Over the stile of “Pearl.”
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