I’ve been exploring why some of Dickinson’s poems on an A-to-Z list of first lines in Wikipedia are NOT linked to their full text. There are six poems to go.
However, I’m going to pause on that today because (a) I haven’t had the time to look into these six poems yet and (b) I was double vaxxed yesterday (Flu shot and update for the Trump Virus) and I’m feeling just a bit lethargic.
However, I’m going to pause on that today because (a) I haven’t had the time to look into these six poems yet and (b) I was double vaxxed yesterday (Flu shot and update for the Trump Virus) and I’m feeling just a bit lethargic.
| I’m hoping the lethargy will be cured stat by a substantial intake of caffeine via cold brews served with my cinnamon muffin, although my hopes are tied to the idea of completing more Dickinson research; no, if all goes as planned, today I am to make my annual pilgrimage to Richmond to attend the Richmond Area Bottle Collector’s Association yearly Antique Bottle Show. Doesn’t that sound exciting? Yes, it’s true. My name is James and I collect antique bottles. Sooo…this morning I visited the online Dickinson archive to check how often the word “bottle” appears in any of her poems. Turns out she never used the word “bottle.” Below: Some of my bottle collection. Click the images to enlarge. |  |
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Hmm…my wife has a small collection of Yixing teapots, so I checked the archive to see how often (or “if”) Dickinson used the word “teapot.”
Zilch again.
Well, after the bottle show, we also visit the Cheesecake Factory where I order their lunch-size Shepherd’s Pie (this is a birthday celebration tradition). So I checked the archive for “shepherd” – nada (that one surprised me) – and then I checked for the word “pie.”
Bingo!
Dickinson used the word “pie” in an early poem (written in 1852 when she was 22) which begins “Sic gloria transit mundi,” a Latin phrase that means "thus passes the glory of the world.”
You can read the poem and an analysis HERE – and be sure to peruse the comments as well – they give a bit more on the history of the poem.
Zilch again.
Well, after the bottle show, we also visit the Cheesecake Factory where I order their lunch-size Shepherd’s Pie (this is a birthday celebration tradition). So I checked the archive for “shepherd” – nada (that one surprised me) – and then I checked for the word “pie.”
Bingo!
Dickinson used the word “pie” in an early poem (written in 1852 when she was 22) which begins “Sic gloria transit mundi,” a Latin phrase that means "thus passes the glory of the world.”
You can read the poem and an analysis HERE – and be sure to peruse the comments as well – they give a bit more on the history of the poem.
 | UPDATE: As stated above, I made my annual trek to Richmond today (actually, Chesterfield County) to visit the Richmond Area Bottle Collectors Association's annual bottle show and sale. If you've never been to an antique bottle show, imagine flying out to Vegas to attend a concert of your favorite band at the Sphere. The atmosphere is a little like that! |
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 | CLICK THE IMAGES ABOVE AND BELOW TO ENLARGE. I did not purchase the "Mosquito Bite Cure," but I loved the label on that one! I was surprised at the cost for the seltzer bottle, but it says "Coca-Cola" on it (very lightly), so I figure the dealer thought that Coca-Cola collectors would be willing to pay the price! |  |
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Below: My purchases for the day. The tall, green bottle is Warner's Safe Cure -- for Bright's Disease (the disease thought to be the killer of Emily Dickinson). The blue bottle is LaPage's Blue/Black In (I have many ink bottles, but none with this shape -- with the patented "Fits Your Hand" grip). The small amber bottle is from Miller's Drug Store -- in my hometown!
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