Anne Cars On(b. 1950)
Sumptuous Destitution
" S u m p t u o u s destitution
Your opinion gives me a serious feeling: I would like to he what you
deem me.
(Emily Dickinson letter 319 to Thomas Higginson)2
is a phrase
You see my position is benighted.
(Emily Dickinson letter 268 to Thomas Higginson)
scholars use
She was much too enigmatical a heingfor me to solve in an hour's
interview.
(Thomas Higginson letter 342a to Emily Dickinson)
of female
God made me [Sir] Master—I didn't he—myself.
(Emily Dickinson letter 233 to Thomas Higginson)
silence
Rushing among my small heart—and pushing aside the blood—
15 (Emily Dickinson letter 248 to Thomas Higginson)
Save what you can, Emily.
And when I try to organize—my little Force explodes—and leaves me
hare and charred.
(Emily Dickinson letter 271 to Thomas Higginson)
Save every bit of thread.
Have you a little chest to put the Alive in
(Emily Dickinson letter 233 to Thomas Higginson)
One of them may be
By Cock, said Ophelia.3
(Emily Dickinson letter 268 to Thomas Higginson)
the way out of here.