Hope: Similarities and differences between Emily and Elizabeth's poems? ?

Question

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me. 

--Emily Dickinson

*****
The Thing With Feathers 

Hope is a horny outgrowth
of the heart, a central axis
along which you branch.
Inside, a hollow portion known
as emptiness. And a solid barb-bearing
part called the self, where
contour feathers grow – large, crude,
capable of much flapping. Surrounded
by small stunted hairlike feathers
of soft down, for insulation. When dry,
they leave a waxy powder you polish
each day with your tongue.
You dust yourself off, lick
your plumes, gaudy or plain,
it doesn’t matter. You hold them
in front of you, crooked
like the wing of a swan. 

-- Elizabeth Zetlin

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I am now reading David Lehman's BEST AMERICAN POETRY 2007. In the foreword, he points out that parody has always made for good poetry. Here, we see how Ms. Dickinson is a pure soul and Ms. Zetlin is a jester, a mimicking fool. Both are good writers, but who ever heard of Elizabeth Zetlin?

indreamsi · Answer

Yes !! What a contrast, The classic poetic beauty of Emily Dickinson and the almost gothic style of Elizabeth Zetlin. Can they really both be writing about the same thing !? 
Thomas Hardy's "Darkling Thrush" is uncannily similar to the former !

Anonymous · Answer

the main suitable similarities are that the two religions are based off of Judaism and the two religions are monotheists, have faith in one god. a considerable distinction is that Muslims have faith that Jesus did exist yet he wasn't the son of God. He became basically a large prophet. Christians have faith that Jesus became the son of God. solid luck on your attempt!

Anonymous · Answer

PP: Do you know why I pulled you over, Mr Ari?
A: Yes, Officer.
PP: Huh?
A: You've pulled me over so that all your contacts will hopefully read this question and then deliver a well thought out answer.
PP: Huh?
A: Thanks, Officer. Have a nice day.

jenny · Answer

This is very interesting, thank you for posting

Trending News

Hope: Similarities and differences between Emily and Elizabeth's poems? ?

5 Answers