The name of it is “autumn”
By Emily Dickinson
Annotations by JOSH BENJAMIN
The name – of it – is “Autumn” –
The hue – of it – is Blood –
An Artery – opon the Hill –
A Vein – along the Road –
Great Globules – in the Alleys –
And Oh, the Shower of Stain –
When Winds – upset the Basin –
And spill the Scarlet Rain –
It sprinkles Bonnets – far below –
It gathers ruddy Pools –
Then – eddies like a Rose – away –
Opon Vermillion Wheels –
DICKINSON, EMILY. “The name of it is ‘autumn’.” Emily Dickinson Archive: https://www.edickinson.org/editions/1/image_sets/12174856
Contexts
The Youth’s Companion published this poem on September 8, 1892, with the title “Autumn.” Dickinson may have been writing with the Civil War in mind. The autumn of 1862 was particularly violent, most notably with the Battle of Antietam on September 17, which may have been near the same time Dickinson composed this poem. This is considered the authoritative version of the poem; while most of her poems are copyrighted by Harvard, they are available to everyone at the Emily Dickinson Archive, linked in “Resources” below. Dickinson made notes on possible changes, such as the alternative last line printed in The Youth’s Companion: “And Leaves me with the Hills.”
Definitions from Oxford English Dictionary:
globule: a round drop (of water or other liquid); a small round particle of a substance.
ruddy: designating an emotion which causes the face to go red, as shame, anger, etc. Of the face, complexion, etc.: red or reddish, as indicative of good health; rosy.
vermilion: having the colour of vermilion; of a bright red or scarlet colour.
Resources for Further Study
- The Emily Dickinson Archive of her poems
- The Emily Dickinson Museum
- “Antietam: A Savage Day in American History” from NPR
- Overview of the Battle of Antietam from History.com
