The Zeroes taught us Phosphorous by Emily Dickinso

1
Кровь стыла, нас уча - гореть...
Мальцами за огонь
мы приучились лёд хотеть...
Трут - мнится властным он
над розным - равностью в чудном,
бел - красным полыхнёт!
Недвижность мне букварь,- без слов,
но в жизненность ведёт!


2
Кровь стыла, нас уча - гореть...
Мальцами за огонь
терпели лёд - чтоб льда хотеть...
Трут - мнится властным он,-
чем должен сбыться - уравнит...
В затменьях - солнц намёк...
Недвижность мой букварь,- мертвит,
но к жизни приведёт!




(Два её варианта, и два перевода.)

[Franklin prints the version of this poem contained in packet 22,
whereas Johnson prints the copy of this poem which Emily sent
to Samuel Bowles. In line 3 Franklin has ‘handling’ for ‘playing,’
in line 5 ‘to equal Ought’ for ‘to balance Odd,’ and in line 6
‘Eclipses _ Suns _ imply’ for ‘If White _ a Red _ must be.’
These changes hardly affect the meaning of the poem.
On the back of the copy sent to Samuel Bowles Emily added the words,
‘I couldn’t let Austin’s note go _ without a word _ Emily.’
Jane Donahue Eberwein helpfully explains that Bowles had started
referring to Emily as ‘the Queen Recluse’ and that in a letter
to Austin he had jokingly inquired about the musical entertainments
his sister enjoyed in heaven and expressing sympathy for her
achievement in overcoming the world. Emily responds by sending Bowles
this poem, adding that she couldn’t let Bowles’ note to Austin
go without a reply. In the poem itself she reminds him of an often
expressed view of hers that experiences are known from their opposites:
highly inflammable phosphorus from zero temperatures, fire from ice,
dry tinder from its power when ignited, red from white and vitality
from paralysis. The sting of this is in the tail, for by the claim that
vitality is learnt from paralysis, she is presumably implying that
her reclusiveness and her present paralysis from socialising is in
fact teaching her about vitality and the things that matter in life.]

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The Zeroes -- taught us -- Phosphorous -- by Emily Dickinson

1
The Zeroes -- taught us -- Phosphorous --
We learned to like the Fire               
By playing Glaciers -- when a Boy --      
And Tinder -- guessed -- by power         
Of Opposite -- to balance Odd --         
If White -- a Red -- must be!            
Paralysis -- our Primer -- dumb --       
Unto Vitality!               

2
The Zeros taught Us - Phosphorus -   
We learned to like the Fire         
By handling Glaciers - when a Boy - 
And Tinder - guessed - by power      
Of Opposite - to equal Ought -      
Eclipses - Suns - imply -            
Paralysis - our Primer - numb       
Unto Vitality -