Emily's Garden

785 They have a little Odor—that to me Is metre—nay—'tis melody— And spiciest at fading—indicate— A Habit—of a Laureate— _____ Emily Dickinson grew stargazer lilies and Oriental lilies, whose perfume is strongest as the blossoms wither. She mailed the petals of a flower along with this little quatrain in a letter to a friend. I dreamed of dead monarchs slotted in the grill of a 1972 Cadillac. I dreamed of dead bees in my favorite hairbrush. I dreamed of ladybugs upturned like scarabs on the white windowsill in my kitchen. I would like to dream of Harv, and all I get are these images.

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