tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post2987208874158734853..comments2024-03-29T00:07:13.458-07:00Comments on the prowling Bee: Not in this World to see his face – Susan Kornfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05384011972647144453noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-4468633179199368672023-09-01T16:56:56.828-07:002023-09-01T16:56:56.828-07:00“The identity of the Him is, to me, the central qu...“The identity of the Him is, to me, the central question. It might be a beloved man, it might be God or Jesus, or it might be two male figures. I don’t know, but I’m tempted to read it as two male figures.” (SK)<br /><br />The ”two male figures” is one man. On May 1, 1862, when Wadsworth sailed from NY bound for SF, ED thought she would never again see his face in this world. But, per their prenup agreement (in her mind; see F194, ‘Title divine, is mine’ & F325, ‘There came a Day—at Summer's full’), she did expect to meet and marry him in Heaven, <br /><br />“. . . a life –<br />Unopened – rare – Upon the Shelf –<br />Clasped yet – to Him – and Me –” <br /><br />However, when Wadsworth “left the land”, ED’s doubts about traditional Christianity was likely an unsettled disagreement between them. The first months after he left were painful, but when she thought about their theological differences, she tried to convince herself that she would rather stick with her own understanding of the King James Bible, than argue esoteric theology with the “learned” Rev. Wadsworth in Heaven. <br /><br />If he insisted on having theology his way, “Himself – could have the Skies” and “. . . leave me – just my A – B – C –”.<br />Larry Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-89183481413848365192017-01-04T17:53:29.171-08:002017-01-04T17:53:29.171-08:00I see this poem as an abstract version of Some Kee...I see this poem as an abstract version of Some Keep the Sabbath. The book clasped upon the shelf could very well refer to her Bible, a gift from her father that had a clasp. The learned men are, of course, the clergy and the a,b,c's the natural world around her. Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047678873938396282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-51270246792336014152014-05-19T09:35:05.889-07:002014-05-19T09:35:05.889-07:00Reading it again I think that the line that confus...Reading it again I think that the line that confused me should be read, "I would not choose another book over my primer , even were it sweeter and wiser than my primer." I think she uses 'be' as the subjunctive 'were' in other poems. Riverwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03302739221107883656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-23270342789273161962014-05-19T09:13:54.064-07:002014-05-19T09:13:54.064-07:00My reading is just slightly different from the two...My reading is just slightly different from the two above - but essentially the same. I read the whole first verse as stating what she has been told by tradition, the Church, etc. "It sounds so long until I can see my beloved's face until I read (am told!) that this is just the Primer to a greater LIfe, etc." . The second stanza then shifts with the words 'and yet'. It is the two words 'sweeter wise' that confuse me a little. Does 'sweeter wise' refer to the Book of Heaven as opposed to her primer? Or to the Primer? I can't figure this out. Sweeter makes me think it is the Primer. Thanks for explaining 'clasped' as locked. The photo you chose is perfect. Riverwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03302739221107883656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029797379711350813.post-65477362127187373942013-04-03T11:11:40.325-07:002013-04-03T11:11:40.325-07:00Thanks for this.
The "primer" puts... Thanks for this.<br /><br /> The "primer" puts this poem in the category of poems where ED speaks of herself as a child. She is humble and innocent, but also "sweeter wise". <br /><br /> A primer is an introduction, but once she has read it, ED is not in a hurry to get past the introduction stage. Her poem opens with a suggestion that the wait "sounds long". But then she gains patience when she "reads the place" -- this world -- even though she understands that that it supposed to be just the primer to a hidden book, clasped, unopened on the shelf. <br /><br /> As a child, being in the present is enough for her -- it "suits her so". <br /><br /> I like how she is generous and uncritical of "some one else -- so learned" who chooses a different path. ED will take the earth, and he "could have the Skies". <br /><br /> Wonderful last line. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com