Saturday, December 10, 2011

Happy Birthday, Emily Dickinson

Happy Birthday today to Emily Dickinson. One of my favorite poets, a radical Christian skeptic who converted church hymns to devastating, introspective poems. 

The Boston Police cleared out Dewey Square last night (no injuries reported, 46 arrested) putting the movement on the verge of something major—dissipation or metamorphosis—whether they're ready or not. In the revolutionary era, people of all classes came together for regular general assemblies at the Old South Meeting House. These meetings built a diverse community around an idea. The occupations created a similar community, across class and ideology, and the strength of community is what makes OWS formidable. Can it thrive without the camps? With the physical spaces removed, can the citizenry still regain control of this democracy?
My life closed twice before its close—
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to me  
So huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.

1 comments:

mariannedissard said...

Emily meets Wall Street occupation : a video.

Happy Birthday, M.

http://youtu.be/Qe8W4HjmP3c