[Critique Group 2] poem for September 26 critique session

[Alice Massa]

NOTE:On May 4, 2012, I wrote this poem for the Hadley "Elements of 
Poetry" course(Lesson 8, Exercise 3, then taught by Geraldine Lawhorn); 
however, I recently significantly revised and lengthened the poem. After 
my poem of 264 words (four stanzas), you will find a copy of Emily 
Dickinson's eight-line poem which inspired the framework of my poem.

*Emily Dickinson’s Heather and Mine*

by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

“But, know I how the heather looks ....”--Emily Dickinson

(Stanza One)

 From Amherst came two quatrains

from Emily, of course.

Thanks to Mabel Loomis Todd,

the world relishes the poetic source

from where I grasp my favorite line—

the one that did foretell

the name of my creamy-colored Yellow Lab

who guided me so very well.

(Stanza Two)

Through this Leader Dog,

I learned how Heather looks

through all seasons of life,

in tactile photographic books.

(Stanza Three)

Large, strong, muscular Heather--

who walked over drawbridges with me,

who lay by my desk as I taught,

who cuddled near my theatre seat

as I listened to musicals and Maya Angelou,

who guided me up the stairs

where Lincoln had lived,

who saved me

from being hit by a falling icicle,

who learned to walk down a special ramp

when she could no longer descend our back stairs,

who easily befriended her successor Zoe

for the final thirteen months

of Heather's season on Earth—

softened with age,

but strengthened my heart and hands.

“... and what a wave must be.”--Emily Dickinson

(Stanza Four)

 From Amherst, with her red tresses and white dress,

Emily wrote these words of the sea;

however, they apply to a Midwestern me

as I tearfully wave and wave,

like whitecaps, again and again,

good-bye, good-bye

to Heather, so missed,

my second guide, my valorous friend

who now remarkably rests and runs

with Keller, Chelsea, Chico, and Prince,

and all who came before.

"...as if the chart were given."--Emily Dickinson

* * *

When I taught braille as a blind rehabilitation teacher (now referred to 
as a certified vision therapist), I brailled the following two-quatrain 
poem for some students to read.

*Untitled*

by Emily Dickinson

I never saw a moor,

I never saw the sea;

but know I how the heather looks

and what a wave must be.

I never spoke with God

nor visited in Heaven,

yet certain am I of the spot

as if the chart were given.

(end of submission for September 26, 2017)


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