14 September 2005 | Vol. 5, No. 3
The nearest Dream recedes—unrealized—
The nearest Dream recedes—unrealized—
The Heaven we chase,
Like the June Bee—before the School Boy,
Invites the Race—
Stoops—to an easy Clover—
Dips—evades—teases—deploys—
Then—to the Royal Clouds
Lifts his light Pinnace—
Heedless of the Boy—
Staring—bewildered—at the mocking sky—
Homesick for steadfast Honey—
Ah, the Bee flies not
That brews that rare variety!
About the author:
1830-86. Dickinson lived her life in Amherst, Massachusetts, becoming, as she's famously known now, progressively reclusive. After her death, her sister discovered over 1000 poems in her bureau.
In 1862, Thomas Higginson, a well-known literary critic, published "Letter to a Young Contributor" in the Atlantic Monthly. Dickinson wrote to Higginson, asking if her "Verse is alive." She included four poems: "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers," "The nearest Dream recedes unrealized," "We play at Paste," and "I'll tell you how the Sun rose."
Learn more about Emily Dickinson at Wikipedia.
For further reading:
See the complete list of work by Emily Dickinson at 42opus. Browse the contents of 42opus Vol. 5, No. 3, where "The nearest Dream recedes—unrealized—" ran on September 14, 2005. List other work with these same labels: poetry, classic.
