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A moth the hue of this
Haunts Candles in Brazil.
Nature's Experience would make
Our Reddest Second pale.

Nature is fond, I sometimes think,
Of Trinkets, as a Girl

NOTES

This poem was written in 1864. Dickinson seems to be musing on the vague lines between experience and innocence, between youth and age. Personified "Nature" has in her ancient memory experience enough to make our richest moments in life appear dull. This same "Nature" has a youthful side-- perhaps spring-- shown by her newest bounty. The allusion to Brazil evokes the same ancient memory as "Nature's experience."

This poem corresponds to #841 in Johnson.


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