Second Cup

FeBREWary 2014

In FeBREWary 2014, enjoy a SECOND CUP
of coffee poetry by Emmett Lee Dickinson
(Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed --
at her request).

The first cup of poetry (from FeBREWary 2013)
is HERE.

Check out Emmett Lee Dickinson's coffee poetry below.
In each case, Dickinson's poem appears on the right, and then on the left is a poem by third cousin Emily Dickinson
which was inspired by the poem by Emmett Lee Dickinson.

FeBREWary 1st

By Emily Dickinson:

It was given to me by the Gods –
When I was a little Girl –
They give us Presents most – you know –
When we are new – and small.
I kept it in my Hand –
I never put it down –
I did not dare to eat – or sleep –
For fear it would be gone –
I heard such words as "Rich" –
When hurrying to school –
From lips at Corners of the Streets –
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! 'Twas Myself – was rich –
To take the name of Gold –
And Gold to own – in solid Bars –
The Difference – made me bold –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

It is given to me by the Gods –
When I am starting to Stir –
It gives me a Presence most – you know –
When I am new – and blurred.
I keep it in my Hand –
I slowly drink it down –
I do not dare to gulp – or swig –
For fear it would be gone –
I use such words as “Rich” –
When hurrying to work –
From sips at Corners on the Streets –
And wrestle with a smirk.
Rich! ’Tis Myself – am rich –
To drink my fill of Gold –
And Gold to own – in liquid Form –The Diffe– The Difference – makes me bold –

FeBREWary 2nd:

By Emily Dickinson:

Exhilaration is the Breeze
That lifts us from the Ground,
And leaves us in another place
Whose statement is not found –

Returns us not, but after time
We soberly descend
A little newer for the term
Upon Enchanted Ground –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Exhilaration is the Brew
That lifts us from its Grounds,
And leaves us in another place
Where dullness is not found –

Returns us not, but after time
We solemnly descend
A bit enlivened for the term
Because Enchanted Grounds –

FeBREWary 3rd:

By Emily Dickinson:

Impossibility, like Wine
Exhilarates the Man
Who tastes it; Possibility
Is flavorless – Combine

A Chance's faintest Tincture
And in the former Dram
Enchantment makes ingredient
As certainly as Doom –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Impossibility, like Joe
Exhilarates the Man
Who tastes it; Possibility
Is flavorless – Combine

A Tankard’s weakest Tincture
And in the former Quaff
One extra shot makes vitality
As certainly as Life –

FeBREWary 4th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Surgeons must be very cafeful
When they take the knife!
Underneath their fine incisions
Stirs the Culprit – Life!

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Baristas must be careful
When they steam Delight!
Within their fine creations
Stirs the Culprit – Life!

FeBREWary 5th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Lest this be Heaven indeed
An Obstacle is given
That always gauges a Degree
Between Ourself and Heaven.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Let this be Heaven indeed:
An Espresso is given
That always reaches a Degree
To thus become our Heaven.

FeBREWary 6th:

By Emily Dickinson:

To fill a Gap
Insert the Thing that caused it –
Block it up
With Other – and 'twill yawn the more –
You cannot solder an Abyss
With Air.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

To fill a Cup
Insert the Brew caused for it –
Fill it up
With Java – and I’ll yawn no more –
I cannot open my Eyes
With Air.

FeBREWary 7th:

By Emily Dickinson:

A Route of Evanescence
With a revolving Wheel –
A Resonance of Emerald –
A Rush of Cochineal –
And every Blossom on the Bush
Adjusts its tumbled Head –
The mail from Tunis, probably,
An easy Morning's Ride –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

A Mug of Effervescence
With a reviving Zeal –
A Prevalence of Energy –
A Rush that feels Unreal –
And every Sip throughout the Route
Adjusts my tumbled Head –
The ride to Work, most probably,
An easy Morning’s Ride –

FeBREWary 8th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Speech is one symptom of Affection
And Silence one
The perfectest communication
Is heard of none

Exists and its endorsement
Is had within
Behold, said the Apostle,
Yet had not seen!

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Gulp is one symptom of Affection
And a Sip one –
The perfectest gratification
Till it is done –

Vigor and its nourishment
Is held within –
Behold, said the Barista,
Your needed caffeine!

FeBREWary 9th:

By Emily Dickinson:

I had a daily Bliss
I half indifferent viewed
Till sudden I perceived it stir --
It grew as I pursued

Till when around a Height
It wasted from my sight
Increased beyond my utmost scope
I learned to estimate.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

I have a daily Bliss
With half-and-half I brew
Till sudden I receive and stir –
Each morning I pursue.

Till in the cup so Hot
I taste it with delight
Increases beyond my utmost scope
It does rejuvenate.

FeBREWary 10th:

By Emily Dickinson:

It rises – passes – on our South
Inscribes a simple Noon –
Cajoles a Moment with the Spires
And infinite is gone –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

It rises – passes – on my Mouth
Inscribes a welcome Taste –
Cajoles a Moment that Inspires
And soon is gone in haste –

FeBREWary 11th:

By Emily Dickinson:

At Half past Three
A single Bird
Unto a silent Sky
Propounded but a single term
Of cautious melody.

At Half past Four
Experiment had subjugated test
And lo, Her silver Principle
Supplanted all the rest.

At Half past Seven
Element nor Implement, be seen
And Place was where the Presence was
Circumference between.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

At Half past Three
A single Shot
Into this silent Guy
Propounded but a single hour
Of robust energy.

At Half past Four
A double of the caffeinated best
And lo, Its muddy Principle
Supplanted me from rest.

At Half past Seven
Dissonant and Indolent, I seek
The Place from where the Lifeblood was
Created and steamed.

FeBREWary 12th:

By Emily Dickinson:

'T is so much joy! 'T is so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured upon a throw;
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so
This side the victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss and breath but breath!
And if, indeed, I fail,
At least to know the worst is sweet.
Defeat means nothing but defeat,
No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain, – oh, gun at sea,
Oh, bells that in the steeples be,
At first repeat it slow!
For heaven is a different thing
Conjectured, and waked sudden in,
And might o'erwhelm me so

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

'T is so much joe! 'T is so much joe!
How can I choose, what profusion?
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured into a shop
To gain – Yes – a celebrated cup
This side of victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!
And when, indeed, I place
My request I know the end is sweet.
Delight brings nothing but delight,
No other drink can provide!

And when I gain, – the mug for me,
Oh, bells that in the steeples be,
At first repeat it slow!
For java is a heavenly thing
A slow sip, then take sudden in,
And then o’erwhelm me so

FeBREWary 13th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Color – Caste – Denomination –
These – are Time's Affair –
Death's diviner Classifying
Does not know they are –

As in sleep – All Hue forgotten –
Tenets – put behind –
Death's large – Democratic fingers
Rub away the Brand –

If Circassian – He is careless –
If He put away
Chrysalis of Blonde – or Umber –
Equal Butterfly –

They emerge from His Obscuring –
What Death – knows so well –
Our minuter intuitions –
Deem unplausible –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Color – Taste – Appreciation –
These – are Java’s Flair –
Life’s divinest Gratifying
Dose – which makes me more aware –

From my sleep – All news forgotten –
Moments – put behind –
Days merge – Automatic actions
Mechanical go Round –

Then Espresso – Ordered with care –
Then I stand and wait
Dark Roast or Light – or Medium –
I soon begin to fly –

I emerge from my Obscurity –
With Life – grow and swell –
One minute an apparition –
Then unstoppable –

FeBREWary 14th:

By Emily Dickinson:

The Definition of Beauty is
That Definition is none –
Of Heaven, easing Analysis,
Since Heaven and He are One.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

The Definition of Coffee is
The Definition of life –
Of Heaven, easing Analysis
Since Heaven and Joe are Light.

FeBREWary 15th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Strong Draughts of Their Refreshing Minds
To drink – enables Mine
Through Desert or the Wilderness
As bore it Sealed Wine –

To go elastic – Or as One
The Camel's trait – attained –
How powerful the Stimulus
Of an Hermetic Mind –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Strong Draughts for Refreshing my Mind
My drink – enables Me
Through Monday and the Work Week
And bear it with Glee –

It’s so fantastic – When with One
The Caffeine drink’s – attained –
How powerful the Stimulus
On a Frenetic Mind – a

FeBREWary 16th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Exhilaration – is within –
There can no Outer Wine
So royally intoxicate
As that diviner Brand

The Soul achieves – Herself –
To drink – or set away
For Visitor – Or Sacrament –
'Tis not of Holiday

To stimulate a Man
Who hath the Ample Rhine
Within his Closet – Best you can
Exhale in offering.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Exhilaration – is within –
There is no Other Drink
So totally caffeinated
As a Coffee at hand

My Soul achieves – Itself –
I drink – then get away
For even More – A Sacrament
Known as the Coffee Break

To stimulate a Man
Who hath a sharp Decline
Within his Day – the Best you can
Is offering Coffee.

FeBREWary 17th:

By Emily Dickinson:

I know lives, I could miss
Without a Misery –
Others – whose instant's wanting –
Would be Eternity –

The last – a scanty Number –
'Twould scarcely fill a Two –
The first – a Gnat's Horizon
Could easily outgrow –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

I know drinks, I could miss
Without a Misery –
Coffee – whose instant’s wanting –
Would be Eternity –

The blast – I feel from Coffee –
Doth keep me on my Toes –
The thirst – a new Horizon
The others can’t expose –

FeBREWary 18th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,
Until we meet a snake;
'Tis then we sigh for houses,
And our departure take
At that enthralling gallop
That only childhood knows.
A snake is summer's treason,
And awe is where it goes.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Sweet is the mud with its caffeine,
And when we greet the day
’Tis then a sip for vigor
And our departure take
At that enthralling gallop
That only childhood knows!
Caffeine is morning’s reason,
And awe is where we go.

FeBREWary 19th:

By Emily Dickinson:

’Twas here my summer paused
What ripeness after then
To other scene or other soul
My sentence had begun.

To winter to remove
With winter to abide
Go manacle your icicle
Against your Tropic Bride.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

’Twas here my workday paused
What ripeness after that
With full caffeine and dark roast soul
My coffee break began.

To better to relax
Then better to get up
Go wander from your cubicle
To find your Tropic Mud

FeBREWary 20th:

By Emily Dickinson:

The mob within the heart
Police cannot suppress
The riot given at the first
Is authorized as peace

Uncertified of scene
Or signified of sound
But growing like a hurricane
In a congenial ground.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

The mud within the heart
The Nerves cannot suppress
The riot given at the first
Is recognized as best

Manifested of bean
And packaged by the pound
And brewing with a fragrant air
From aromatic grounds.

FeBREWary 21st:

By Emily Dickinson:

That Love is all there is
Is all we know of Love,
It is enough, the freight should be
Proportioned to the groove.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

That Joe is all there is
Is all we need of Joe
It is enough, the cup should be
Apportioned by the flow.

FeBREWary 22nd:

By Emily Dickinson:

A Cap of Lead across the sky
Was tight an surly drawn
We could not find the mighty Face
The Figure was withdrawn –

A Chill came up as from a shaft
Our noon became a well
A Thunder storm combines the charms
Of Winter and of Hell.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

A Cup of Mud just for this guy
Was right and quickly brewed
He could not face the mighty Day
His figure was renewed –

A Warmth came up as from a shaft
His morn began to redden
A Ray of Sun combined with charm –
His day became a Heaven.

FeBREWary 23rd:

By Emily Dickinson:

His Heart was darker than the starless night
For that there is a morn
But in this black Receptacle
Can be no Bode of Dawn

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

My Joe was darker than the starless night
For that there is no cream
And in this black Receptacle
My life is but a Dream

FeBREWary 24th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Silence is all we dread
There’s a Ransom in a Voice –
But Silence is Infinity
Himself have not a face

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Decaf is all we dread
There’s a Silence in that Choice –
For Decaf is Invariably
A speech without a Voice

FeBREWary 25th:

By Emily Dickinson:

In this short Life that only lasts an hour
How much – how little – is within our power

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

In this short Break that lasts a quarter hour
How much – my coffee – gives to me my power

FeBREWary 26th:

By Emily Dickinson:

I held a Jewel in my fingers –
And went to sleep –
The day was warm, and winds were prosy –
I said "'Twill keep" –

I woke – and chid my honest fingers,
The Gem was gone –
And now, an Amethyst remembrance
Is all I own –

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

I held a Coffee in my hands –
To stay awake –
The drink was warm, its taste was dazing –
I said “’I’ll take” –

I drank – and chid my hurried hands,
The Drink was gone –
And now, a Russet remembrance
Is all I own –

FeBREWary 27th:

By Emily Dickinson:

Somehow myself survived the Night
And entered with the Day –
That it be saved the Saved suffice
Without the Formula.

Henceforth I take my living place
As one commuted led –
A Candidate for Morning Chance
But dated with the Dead.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Somehow myself survived the Morn
And entered to the Day –
That I was saved with Savory brew
No doubt, the “Formula.”

Therefore I took my living place
As one commuter set –
A Candidate for Morning’s Rush
Among the living Dead.

FeBREWary 28th:

By Emily Dickinson:

A Day! Help! Help!
Another Day!
Your prayers – Oh Passer by!
From such a common ball as this
Might date a Victory!
From marshallings as simple
The flags of nations swang.
Steady — my soul: What issues
Upon thine arrow hang!

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

A Joe! Help! Help!
Another Day!
My prayers – Don’t pass me by!
From such a coffee cup as this
Might make a Victory!
I’m marveling how simple
The force that coffee brings.
Steady – my soul: What issues
With Joe become my dreams!