Renunciation – is a piercing Virtue –
The letting go
A Presence – for an Expectation –
Not now –
The putting out of Eyes –
Just Sunrise –
Lest Day –
Day’s Great Progenitor –
Outvie
Renunciation – is the Choosing
Against itself –
Itself to justify
Unto itself –
When the larger function –
Make that appear –
Smaller – that Covered Vision – Here –
~ Emily Dickinson
(The Poems of Emily Dickinson, #782)
May we let go of what is no longer needed. Or may it let go of us. Please.
Kathy, I never thought about it that way before, renunciation, a two way street. You’ve given me much to ponder, my friend.
“A piercing virtue”
That statement has definitely captured my attention and will be on the receiving end of some serious consideration throughout the rest of the day. Interesting, indeed.
It seems each word Emily chooses is full of deeper meanings – I find myself reading this poem often and getting something a little more and a little different from it each time. I’m happy you found some food for thought, Laurie…
Such a striking and powerful pairing of image and words! Her poem starts with such a strong image, piercing virtue, but then I find myself struggling with a sense of confusion and contradiction….my own, not Emily D’s, which is maybe exactly as she intended.
Emily had a life-long struggle, resisting dogma and doctrine, finding her inner experience of spirituality and divinity more reliable than the tenets of the organized religion of her family and community. For me, the renunciation of beliefs I used to hold dear was a painful, but unavoidable and necessary, process of spiritual growth. Emily’s poem speaks to me on that level, and I’m sure it means a lot of different things to others who read it. 🙂
When I first read this it so touched the core of what I was feeling/experiencing at that moment and I responded from that place. And then felt very vulnerable (and probably a little silly) and wanted to withdraw my words and try to say what I thought I meant. But looking back, those feelings were the truth of that moment for me. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful her words and poetry can be. This one caught me by surprise and I thank you for that 🙂
Being confused and wanting to withdraw my words often happens to me, too. (It may well be the story of my life!) Thank you for sharing your vulnerability, Colleen – it makes me feel connected to you and more aware that for all of us our truths can vary and evolve from moment to moment. It’s the same feeling I have when Emily transports me along with her, by means of her words, still so powerful in our day. 🙂
I so appreciate what you have said here, Barbara.
Likewise, Colleen.
ooh you’ve given us something really interesting to ponder on this time – both the illustration and the poem.
– Are those trees or buildings in the painting? And does it matter?
– I’m working hard at letting go of expectations. … I am thoughtful and expect the same from others, but they continue to disappoint me….
Methinks those are trees in the painting, too, Rosie, but like all meaningful art and poetry what we perceive can be totally different from what ideas and images were originally intended by the creators. As I came to appreciate my own blunders and thoughtless moments in dealing with others it became so much easier to give others the benefit of the doubt. But still, managing expectations is often a challenge…
Like dearrosie, I’m too workin hard on building up the “Let Go” attitude, It has become a necessity, for retaining the peace! Thank you for bringing the topic up 🙂
You’re welcome, Sonali! It’s kind of like that old saying, do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? We’re so much happier when we’re not so quick to take offense, kindly letting things go instead. 🙂 Even if it easier said than done!