If the Foolish, Call Them Flowers
poem 168
If the Foolish, Call Them Flowers - meaning Summary
Different Eyes, Different Truths
Dickinson argues that interpretation depends on the viewer: what some call foolishness others call flowers, and scholars may classify while ordinary readers perceive differently. She insists readers of revelation—religious or poetic—should not judge those whose vision is clouded. Imagining standing beside Moses in the promised land, she suggests many learned sciences would seem unnecessary, and asks for a modest, star-like place amid the vast, celebratory cosmos.
Read Complete AnalysesIf the foolish, call them flowers Need the wiser, tell? If the Savants Classify them It is just as well! Those who read the Revelations Must not criticize Those who read the same Edition With beclouded Eyes! Could we stand with that Old Moses Canaan denied Scan like him, the stately landscape On the other side Doubtless, we should deem superfluous Many Sciences, Not pursued by learned Angels In scholastic skies! Low amid that glad Belles lettres Grant that we may stand, Stars, amid profound Galaxies At that grand Right hand!
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