There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons,
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings are.

None may teach it, any,
'Tis the seal, despair,-
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 'tis like the distance
On the look of death.



I'm assuming because it's by Emily inson that's it's depressing, but I'm not so sure. What's heavenly hurt? Can't figure that one out. And 'tis like the distance, on the look of death... don't know either.

I get it! It's like your parents divorcing!

There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons,
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings are.

None may teach it, any,
'Tis the seal, despair,-
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 'tis like the distance
On the look of death.



I'm assuming because it's by Emily inson that's it's depressing, but I'm not so sure. What's heavenly hurt? Can't figure that one out. And 'tis like the distance, on the look of death...don't know either.

Hmmm, I think, Heavenly hurt is pertaining to spiritual pain (depression?), that changes you inside "where the meanings are".

When someone or something is dead, their eyes look out like at nothing. They are disturbing enough that we close the eyes, on people anyway. Those eyes look into the distance, forever, but see nothing. It's actually a relief to know that they aren't really seeing anything. So, "when it goes, "tis like the distance on the look of death" would be a relief that the pain is gone.

Simone