By Anne K. Kaler
Tell all the Truth but Tell it Slant
by Emily Dickenson
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant –
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind –
When I reread Dickinson’s poem below, my interest ground to a halt at her image of slanting truth.
Truth, I was told and taught, was to be “true” or it is not Truth. How dare she, a poet of great worth, suggest that anyone lie about a fact by relating it from any angle but a “true” perspective! How bold of her to suggest that any artist or story-teller would chose to alter the reader’s view of the sacred Truth. What nerve she had to encourage non-truth telling to her willing listeners!
(I found my ire forced me to use exclamation points in righteous indignation!) Continue reading “Theme for PSB Literary Journal Winter 2020 Issue Announced”
Pearl S. Buck Writing Center 