They shut me up in Prose —
As when a little Girl
They put me in the Closet —
Because they liked me “still” —
Still! Could themself have peeped —
And seen my Brain — go round —
They might as wise have lodged a Bird
For Treason — in the Pound —
Himself has but to will
And easy as a Star
Look down opon Captivity —
And laugh — No more have I —
~ Emily Dickinson
(The Poems of Emily Dickinson, #445)
Such an old, wizened face on this young girl – it pairs perfectly with Emily Dickinson’s writing here.
Thank you, Linda! I agree!
This poem seems to go with the old saying, “Children should be seen and not heard.” The pictured girl seems to be saying she’s seen more in her young years than anyone could imagine. Gee, I’m probably reading all this wrong — re-reading my comment, I’m certainly looking on the “dark side”!! How did I ever become an English major, when I so dislike analyzing poetry?!?
“Children should be seen and not heard.” My mother often reminded us that this was how she was raised and that it would behoove us to act accordingly around our grandparents. 😉 I don’t believe there is a wrong way to read poetry — it always hits people differently, much to the frustration of others with a more logical approach to life. I wondered what silent thoughts were ‘going round’ inside this girl’s brain.
Wow!! You really touched me with truth here. Thank you!
It’s so nice to know Emily’s words had so much meaning for you, too!