More on Dickinson's Conceptual Rhyming
In an earlier post, I noted Emily Dickinson’s use of conceptual rhyme.
Here’s a great early example of her tentativeness (S3: “doubting heart”) by parallel conceptual rhymes that contrast with its perfect rhymes (this occurs in a down-hearted letter to her close friend Sue in 1854):
Johnson 2; Franklin 4
I have a Bird in spring
Which for myself doth sing --
The spring decoys.
And as the summer nears --
And as the Rose appears,
Robin is gone.
Yet do I not repine
Knowing that Bird of mine
Though flown --
Learneth beyond the sea
Melody new for me
And will return.
Fast in a safer hand
Held in a truer Land
Are mine --
And though they now depart
Tell I my doubting heart
They're thine.
In a serener Bright,
In a more golden light
I see
Each little doubt and fear
Each little discord here
Removed.
Then will I not repine,
Knowing that Bird of mine
Though flown
Shall in a distant tree
Bright melody for me
Return.
__________________
Ralph
Last edited by RCL; 08-05-2021 at 12:03 PM.
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