National Poetry Month, Day 6: Dash, dash
Monday 
terribly early in the morning 
Mystie
I find this poem amusing, because I first encountered it in American lit at CBC, which class I took with 6 friends, including Matt (who was *just a friend* at the time). He and I were in the same “discussion group” for Emily Dickenson, and Matt read this poem aloud, including saying “dash” for each, well, dash. So, that would be, “I heard a fly buzz, dash dash, when I died, dash dash.” I thought it was hilarious. I might have just been smitten. I still think it’s funny. But maybe I’m just still smitten. :)
And, no, laughing hysterically is not supposed to be the reaction to this poem — about death.
I Heard a Fly Buzz
Emily Dickenson
I heard a Fly buzz — when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –The Eyes around — had wrung them dry –
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset — when the King
Be witnessed — in the Room –I willed my Keepsakes — Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable — and then it was
There interposed a Fly –With Blue — uncertain stumbling Buzz –
Between the light — and me –
And then the Windows failed — and then
I could not see to see –
