Because I've been teaching American Literature for about 5 years now, I find that my appreciation of the stories, the language, the freshness of what the authors were doing has been blunted a little bit. It makes me sad that I'm not getting to read Thoreau and Whitman for the first time, like my students are. I'm sad that Thoreau's great words about living deliberately and Whitman's obnoxious confidence don't reverberate the way they did when I first took them in. However, I do occasionally read slowly and carefully enough that I get back to a moment of pure excitement and appreciation.
Behold, the best poem ever. I don't think I'm exaggerating - this one here is, in my humble opinion, a genius-level use of musicality in language, compelling metaphor, concise imagery, an integration of meaning and form that I don't think could ever get tired of teasing out. And of course, it's Emily Dickinson. Who else could it be?
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant –
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind –
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