Emily Dickinson

The Bat Is Dun with Wrinkled Wings

The Bat Is Dun with Wrinkled Wings - meaning Summary

Curious Praise for Oddness

Dickinson observes a small, ragged bat and treats it as a provocative, almost philosophical figure. The poem notes the bat’s silent, peculiar flight and wonders about its origin and intent, framing those questions with mild humor. Rather than condemning the creature, the speaker credits a benevolent Creator for such eccentricities. The tone mixes curiosity, amusement, and theological reflection on nature’s oddness and purpose.

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The Bat is dun with wrinkled wings Like fallow article, And not a song pervades his lips, Or none perceptible. His small umbrella, quaintly halved, Describing in the air An arc alike inscrutable, Elate philosopher! Deputed from what firmament Of what astute abode, Empowered with what malevolence Auspiciously withheld. To his adroit Creator Ascribe no less the praise; Beneficent, believe me, His eccentricities.

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