"Arcturus" is his other name - A poem by Emily Dickinson

"Arcturus" is his other name -- I'd rather call him "Star." It's very mean 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."

Poet: Emily Dickinson (Emily Dickinson Art)
Poem: 70. "Arcturus" is his other name
Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Year: Published/Written in 1955

Comment 2 of 2, added on August 24th, 2008 at 4:53 AM.

'Over the stile of "Pearl"' hard private. 'The Soul Selects Her Own Society' resonates perhaps. Hurdle of solitude sort thing. Thus 'stamen' saving yourself self idol even narcissm so on. Essentially playful ironical imo. Not so successful as TSSHOS but that is completely miraculous!

William Boyd from United Kingdom

Comment 1 of 2, added on September 2nd, 2005 at 4:47 AM.

I love the poem, not just because of the poet's way with words, but also because I share the same view about life in general. Time for introspection, people!!

Parvathy from India

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, "Arcturus" is his other name, has received 2 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Emily Dickinson with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Dickinson Info

Biography
More Poems
(1775 poems)
Books