You Will Know Her
Daily Dose of Emily D
“You’ll know Her — by Her Foot —
The smallest Gamboge Hand
With Fingers — where the Toes should be —
Would more affront the Sand —
Than this Quaint Creature’s Boot —
Adjusted by a Stern —
Without a Button — I could vouch —
Unto a Velvet Limb —
You’ll know Her — by Her Vest —
Tight fitting — Orange — Brown —
Inside a Jacket duller —
She wore when she was born —
Her Cap is small — and snug —
Constructed for the Winds —
She’d pass for Barehead — short way off —
But as She Closer stands —
So finer ‘tis than Wool —
You cannot feel the Seam —
Nor is it Clasped unto of Band —
Nor held upon — of Brim —
You’ll know Her — by Her Voice —
At first — a doubtful Tone —
A sweet endeavor — but as March
To April — hurries on —
She squanders on your Ear
Such Arguments of Pearl —
You beg the Robin in your Brain
To keep the other — still —”
Daily Scripture Reading
Anchor Verse
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be . . . given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom”
Reflection
After reading the passage and picking our poem for today, I am drawn back to an early chapter of Matthew:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 17: 15-20).>
These chapters share so many of the same words: fig, fruits. And the same people false prophets, the chief priests and scribes. Matthew is not only repeating but spiraling inward, intensifying the message. This message is of life and death.
I like the aphorism: you will know them by their fruits. Being mostly fruitarian myself, I love the image of a productive fruit tree. Here - in chapter twenty-one, Jesus is hungry and seeing the fig tree goes over to eat from it - but is has no fruit. He curses it and it withers. Then his followers are amazed at his power to make a fig tree wither so quickly, and he replies: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21, NIV).
This indeed reveals more of the spiraling as we at once remember this verse again from Chapter 17, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
On first encounter with this story of the fig tree, I read it literally, and being a lover of precious fruit trees and especially the fig I think: “Why on Earth would Jesus be so angry and aggressive as to curse and kill a fig tree like that? If he was so hungry, why didn’t he just imbibe it with nurturing care and enjoy the fruit? He says if you have faith, you can move mountains. Why kill when the ability to restore and make fruitful?” The reason is - this is an allegory. Whether it happened historically of or not - it is meant to be taken as an allegory. We are the fruit trees. If we are joined with the life giving divine, we thrive and others benefit from our fruits. If we are disconnected, we wither - and are cursed to death.
Our poet today is being punny. She writes, “You’ll know her by her . . . foot” (v.1). Here most certainly, Dickinson alludes to this passage in Matthew that speaks of the fruits produced of people. As the poem continues to unfold, we discover the riddle to be solved - she declares to readers it is the robin she describes. However, knowing a little historical context, this poem — like so many other of Dickinson’s works - is layered with meaning.
Corresponding with a Mr. Higginson, who was a noted writer himself, Dickinson sent him her poems and asked his advice. She writes, “Mr. Higginson, — Are you too deeply occupied to say if my verse is alive?”
He compared her work to - then in the news - the newly discovered fossil prints of ancient birds. Also, in another letter - she describes her hair as being the same color as the coat of a robin. With these connections in mind - Higginson’s “bird-tracks” comparison and her liking herself to the robin, we can read the poem - not unlike we need to read the passages in Matthew- on a deeper level- centering the poet herself and her work as what she is describing. In this light - curiously the “foot” that she is known by is a measure in her line of poetry. Her vice - she says - at first soft and timid - but growing riotous as time goes on. Dickinson’s fruits are her poems - what she is known by. A poet and her song. What is the song you sing? Are you connected? If so, what are your fruits?
I would like to know. Comment below - what are the fruits of your life?
Transcript
Thank you for joining me in this meditation for productivity.
Find a comfortable seat on the floor, a pillow, a mat, or in a chair. Straighten your back. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Enjoy this moment.
Do a few rounds of regular breathing and slowly close your eyes. Feel the surface beneath you, supporting you. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your nose. Bring your attention to your breath. Notice how your body expands on the inhale and contracts on the exhale. Breath in - expand. Breathe out - contract.
Your thoughts control your feelings. Breathe in happy thoughts. It’s a brand new day, a glorious day! Breathe out.
Your feelings control your actions. Breathe in. Breath out any pain or tension or stress. It’s a brand new day, a glorious day, and I feel amazing. Breathe out.
Your actions control your events. Breathe in and imagine what amazing actions you will take this day. It’s a brand new day, a glorious day. I feel amazing, and everything I do will be amazing. Breathe out.
Your thoughts and your feelings and your actions control your events. Breathe in the thought, with amazing thoughts and amazing feelings, and amazing actions, my events today will be perfect. Breathe in. Feel the peace you have for this perfect day. Breathe out.
Settle into these thoughts of what an amazing day your will have. Imagine how everything in your day will unfold perfectly and how you will achieve everything you wish to achieve and more. And now sit silently on your own, giving thanks for your perfect day! In this time of deep meditation, if your mind begins to drift, gently return to the feeling of thankfulness for this perfect day.
And now silently on your own.
Begin to move your body shifting to the right and then to the left. Circle your neck to the right and to the left and back to center. Raise your hands to the sky and gather all of that positive energy and bring it down placing palms together and bringing them to heart center. Smile. And give thanks for your perfect day.
Thank you for joining me to meditate. Go and enjoy this beautiful day and comment below on something beautiful that happened to you on this glorious day. See you soon. Namaste.
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Word of Intention
fruitful
Eight Affirmations of Gratitude
I am grateful for my ability to handle any situation that life has to offer.
I am thankful that I can do what I need to do with happiness and joy.
I give thanks that my thoughts control my actions and I can always thing good thoughts.
I am thankful that every day is a new day.
I am thankful for my future.
I am so very thankful that I can make this day amazing.
I give thanks for this opportunity.
I am grateful for the here and now.
Questions to Consider
What are the words that I will say as I greet each new day that will help me to make each day a productive day?
How can I be more grateful for all of the events that come my way?
How can I eliminate habits or any blocks that I have in my life that keep me from being fully productive?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me. Love and light to you my friend. Namaste.