A Light exists in Spring

Posted by Washington Revels
April 3, 2020

Spring is usually a time of excitement as our community prepares for May Revels, our annual celebration of the “greening of the year.” Sadly, both of this year’s May Revels performances have been canceled. In spite of this, our May Choruses (Adults/Teens, Tweens, and Kids), as well as members of our year-round performing ensembles, have been gathering via Zoom to share music together and to keep our community strong.

As we reflect on how all of us are persevering in the face of uncertainty, we think this excerpt from Emily Dickinson’s poem, “A Light exists in Spring,” captures the hope of this special time of year as — even in the face of isolation — we find new ways to grow together.


Excerpt: A Light exists in Spring
By Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period —
When [April’s] scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Read the complete poem here.
[Revels hopes that Ms. Dickinson would forgive our substitution of April for March!]

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