E. D. E. B. B.

Forever is composed of nows. O dreary life!

we cry, and still the generations of birds sing

through our sighing, infinite months dissolving

in further months, and years exhaling in years.

Serenely the unwasted stars pass in glory

while we are keeping strife with Heaven’s

true purpose in us. (God grant me grace

unwearied, patience.)

Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt is to play with a poem of Emily Dickinson’s. Just after I chose this one (690), I read Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Patience Taught by Nature” via poets.org’s poem-a-day, and felt they were made for each other. I had fun melding them together.

Emily, XL

She sweeps with many-colored brooms

Dirt-dry sky anchored by plank walls

bare brown arms kilted skirts

She leaves the riverside window open

sun-damp dreams lured and snared

in yards upon yards of muslin curtains

 

Inspired by Poets Online’s monthly prompt: Begin with a line of an Emily Dickinson poem.