I Heard A Fly Buzz

I came across this video of a clay on glass animation made in 1989 by Lynn Tomlinson based on Emily Dickinson’s poem of the same name, and I thought I would share it here. You will need to give the file a minute to download before attempting to view for best effect. Below the video I will paste the poem. You can read it while you are waiting for the video to load.  I liked the way the poem was read in the video. I imagine the voice of Emily Dickinson to sound similar–slight and soprano; although, I imagine her voice to be a bit more flat and resigned, sad sounding. Comments on this poem are invited. The poem allows for deep discussion. We each will die after all.

‘I heard a Fly buzz-when I died’

by Emily Dickinson

I heard a Fly buzz – when I died -
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air -
Between the Heaves of Storm -

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry -
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room -

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly -

With Blue – uncertain stumbling Buzz -
Between the light – and me -
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see -