I used to teach English at the high school level, and one of my favorite poems to introduce to students was Emily Dickinson's "The Moon was but a Chin of Gold." Before I would share the poem with them, though, I would always project an image of a crescent moon on the board. I would then ask them to suggest images that the moon could represent. Of course, I would always get typical responses like a canoe, a banana, a finger nail, a smile, and the letter "C." I would then tell them that Emily Dickinson came up with an image of a crescent moon that no student had EVER guessed -- and then the students would try to come up with a few more guesses: A comma. A fish hook. A hammock. And so on. |
Not once did anyone ever guess "a chin of gold" -- especially as part of a "perfect face" which ultimately turns upon the world below.
The lesson was very simple, and it really got the students to start thinking of new ways to observe the world.
The lesson was very simple, and it really got the students to start thinking of new ways to observe the world.
A few years ago, I wrote a song based on this poem, and the music is below. I hope you like it.
The poem: By Emily Dickinson: The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago – And now she turns Her perfect Face Upon the World below – Her Forehead is of Amplest Blonde – Her Cheek – a Beryl hewn – Her Eye unto the Summer Dew The likest I have known – Her Lips of Amber never part – But what must be the smile Upon Her Friend she could confer Were such Her Silver Will – And what a privilege to be But the remotest Star – For Certainty She take Her Way Beside Your Palace Door – Her Bonnet is the Firmament – The Universe – Her Shoe – The Stars – the Trinkets at Her Belt – Her Dimities – of Blue – | The lyrics based on the poem: The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago And now she turns Her perfect face Upon the World below – Her Forehead is amplest Blonde Her cheek – a Beryl hewn – Her Eye unto the Summer Dew The likest I have known-- And what a priv’lege to be But the remotest Star For Certainty she takes her way Beside your palace door The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago And now she turns Her perfect face Upon the World below – Her bonnet’s the firmament The Universe – Her shoe The stars – the trinkets at her Belt In her sea of blue And what a priv’lege to be But the remotest Star For Certainty she takes her way Beside your palace door |
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