Mr. Fasano’s English Class

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Here’s a great video of Simon & Garfunkel performing their version of Edwin Arlington Robinson’s most-anthologized poem, “Richard Cory.” I find it impossible to teach this masterpiece of a poem without using this song as scaffolding. About all I know of this live performance is that it was in 1966.

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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 —

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