“In its unfading flowers”

Emily Dickinson’s letters often came with a poem; this one was in the letter to her brother, Austin. I think she must have written it about this time of the year: she was concerned about the frost (“Where not a frost has been”) and emphasized her flowers had not faded yet (“In its unfading flowers”); I can boast the same, the photo of “unfading flowers” were taken this morning. “Prithee” comes from “pray thee” which is used to express a wish or request for something to be done; something like “please”. Let me paraphrase her, “Prithee, my [Facebook] friends, / Into my garden come!”


Linda Mosier was still entertained by butterflies and hummingbirds at this time of the year; and Emily still “hear the bright bee hum”.

There is another sky,

Ever serene and fair,

And there is another sunshine,

Though it be darkness there;

Never mind faded forests, Austine,

Never mind silent fields –

Here is a little forest,

Whose leaf is ever green;

Here is a brighter garden,

Where not a frost has been;

In its unfading flowers

I hear the bright bee hum;
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!