A couple of days ago I mentioned (HERE) that I visited Dinosaur Land in White Post, VA (near Winchester and Front Royal at the northern end of Shenandoah National Park), and that got me to Amherst College’s selection process for an “official” mascot (to replace the “unofficial” Lord Jeff). AC’s vote included five contenders – one of which was “Purple and White” – and the Mammoth won the overall vote. Now the college’s “official” mascot is a purple mammoth.
Sooo…yesterday I looked into whether or not Dickinson ever used the words “mammoth,” “dinosaur,” or “fossil” in any of her poems, and the answer is “NO” – she didn’t use any of those words in any of her poems; however, she did use the word “purple” in 55 different poems.
AND – even before I looked up the total number – I knew that Dickinson had used “purple” because one poem in particular popped into my head, “Success is counted sweetest.”
Sooo…yesterday I looked into whether or not Dickinson ever used the words “mammoth,” “dinosaur,” or “fossil” in any of her poems, and the answer is “NO” – she didn’t use any of those words in any of her poems; however, she did use the word “purple” in 55 different poems.
AND – even before I looked up the total number – I knew that Dickinson had used “purple” because one poem in particular popped into my head, “Success is counted sweetest.”
| The line/stanza that immediately clicked with me is this: Not one of all the purple Host Who took the Flag today Can tell the definition So clear of victory TBH, once I ran the search on “purple” and I saw all the first lines, I thought to myself, “Oh yeah – that’s a popular one too,” including, “The hills erect their purple heads,” “We like March – his shoes are purple,” “A slash of Blue – a sweep of Gray,” “Dear March – come in,” “I’ll tell you how the sun rose,” and more! More on “Success is counted sweetest” tomorrow! THE DISCUSSION CONTINUES HERE. |  |
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