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If You Must Tell The Truth, Tell It In Small Doses
A modern look at Emily Dickinson’s most poignant poem
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 — Emily Dickinson(1263)
When Emily Dickinson speaks from afar…
I listen.
As a most beloved poet from the 19th Century, Emily Dickinson’s words continue to ring true throughout time, and this time her poem #1263, tackles truth and why it needs to be meted out in small doses.
When the Speaker of the poems says, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant- /Success in Circuit lies”, I imagine they are saying the truth is like a Circuit. Circular, seemingly jumbled and everywhere, but it does hit the target directly.
But why should this be so?
Why should someone tell the truth in circles?
Several years ago, my husband and I were introduced to some roomies who knew all about Green Living, the true…
