“Answer July” by Emily Dickinson

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inEmily Dickinson, Poetry, Seasons, Summer, Summer Gardens, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , , , ,

We have entered the month of September, transitioning to a new season that brings a coolness to the night air, and the last vibrant colours before the coming of winter. Tonight I celebrate all the seasons with a poem by Emily Dickinson.

Please join me in reciting “Answer July” by Emily Dickinson.

Answer July

By Emily Dickinson

Answer July—
Where is the Bee—
Where is the Blush—
Where is the Hay?

Ah, said July—
Where is the Seed—
Where is the Bud—
Where is the May—
Answer Thee—Me—

Nay—said the May—
Show me the Snow—
Show me the Bells—
Show me the Jay!

Quibbled the Jay—
Where be the Maize—
Where be the Haze—
Where be the Bur?
Here—said the Year—

This poem is in the public domain.

Until next time we meet, keep reading and reciting poetry.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

52 thoughts on ““Answer July” by Emily Dickinson”

    1. I am delighted that you joined me in the garden, Marian. Poetry and friendships break down the barriers of time and location. I enjoy our conversations and look forward to many walks together in the days ahead.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Those flowers are tiny, Liz. I didn’t think that I would be able to capture them with an iPhone. Usually there are out of focus. But I kept very still and held my breath. Sleep well – the adventures continue tomorrow.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Holly!! Your comments are very much appreciated. I have kept your poem, Journey, close to me these past few days. I especially appreciated this thought: “nomadic wanderers of the familiar and the unknown.”

      Journey:

      We are winged and freedom is etched on the soles of our feet. Our voyage is uncharted, roaming deep blue ocean fed skies, the stars our only guide, intruders mesmerized by lush river banks of spicy cypress where Sunbirds have sung for a million years. We speak in tongues of travelers before us , nomadic wanderers of the familiar and the unknown. Our nights are spent in shadows, waking to the sweet perfume of rain.

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  4. Wonderful poem but then one would ne’er expect less from The Lady of Poetry, Emily Dickinson! In return I offer you my dear friend, Rebecca, my humble poetic scribble of this day. Though I must admit it is not only for September, my birth month, but as you can see it’s a kind of one size fits all, as applicable for every month.

    Looking in a Blind Mind – the while willing to wait –

    A fellowman’s fate Be in a blind mind, Short of haste state For end of the line, Will reason be late A welcome assign, Thus eager to wait On ploy of resign, Yet invokes debate Tho beset inclined, May assure a place At end of life’s time, As fellowman’s take Endures a blind mind, The while willing to wait! By Jean-Jacques Fournier

    >

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    1. Many, many thanks for adding your poetic words to this conversation, Jean Jacque. Time, change, waiting, enduring – all capture the movement and transitions of life. September is my favourite month!! And now, I have another reason to celebrate the coming of autumn. Happy Birthday month, my dear friend.

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  5. A conversation between and among the seasons’ creature…how delightful! Lovely to hear you reading Emily in a beautiful summer garden. I look forward to the constant of change. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sarah and I had a lot of fun this past week, reading poetry in Park & Tilford Gardens. As you know, this was the site of a distillery many years ago. The gardens were originally built for the employees and now they are open to everyone. We noticed that the gardeners are starting to bring in plants to the greenhouse to keep them safe during winter months. I am with you, Mary Jo. I look forward to the constant of change. Sending hugs!

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  6. Dearest Rebecca,
    what an unusual poem, especially for the time when she wrote it. Strange punctuation. You read it perfectly.
    Wishing you and all the Budds a wonderful week.
    Hugs 🤗 and 🥰 kisses
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Agreed: your words from the magical summer garden are a balm to me in the midst of this scorching heat wave, when summer only has connotations of blistering heat, sweltering temperatures, and alerts about impending power outages. Here’s wishing we knew how to teleport ourselves to that Summer Garden you showed us!

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    2. Many, many thanks to my dear friends The Fab Four of Cley for joining me in the garden. I agree, the punctuation was unusual, which challenged me to consider how to recite Answer July. It was a conversation with different voices, so the question was: how do I distinguish them. I understand from my research that Emily employed extensive dashes, dots, and unconventional capitalization. Her poems used vivid imagery and idiosyncratic vocabulary. Sending hugs and love back to across the ocean.

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    1. I agree – Emily Dickinson gives us ideas to consider. She challenges us with her poetic words. Sarah and I are having great fun reciting poetry in the garden. Sarah has decided that we must find another location because there is a great deal of activity surrounding this location, one of them being a train whistle from time to time. I must find a poem about trains!!!! LOL

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    1. I am learning about poets, one poem at a time, Diana, because each poem has a story, a beginning, a reason for existence. I continue to learn and thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for joining me in Park & Tilford Gardens. My sister, Sarah and I are enjoying reciting poetry together. It is hard to understand that most of Emily’s poetry was not published during her lifetime.

      Liked by 3 people

  17. Just listened and watched this once again. Thank you for your reading of these lovely words. I also enjoyed the picture you chose at the beginning of this lovely message, thank you. Waiting for your next podcast6, always so enjoyable! !

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    1. Can you imagine that only 10 of Emily Dickinson’s nearly 1,800 poems are known to have been published in her lifetime. And yet, she is considered to be one of the two leading 19th century poets along with Walt Whitman. I am so glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for joining me in the garden!!!

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