Dickinson 的“It ceased to hurt me, though so slow”,...

Dickinson 的“It ceased to hurt me, though so slow”, 因為時間的流裡漸漸變得麻木，而已經不再刺痛你的傷痛。這種傷痛其實從未消失，只是改變了型態。這些傷痛曾包覆著你，你曾穿戴著它，但現在已經不再合身，你只能把它脫下來，掛在房間的一角。但是真正的那種肝腸寸斷，卻是一直形影不離，被編織在你內心深處最柔軟的角落。
It ceased to hurt me, though so slow
I could not feel the trouble go –
But only knew by looking back –
That something – had benumbed the Track –

Nor when it altered, I could say,
For I had worn it, every day,
As constant as the Childish frock –
I hung upon the Peg, at night.

But not the Grief -- that nestled close
As Needles – ladies softly press
To Cushions Cheeks –
To keep their place –

Nor what consoled it, I could trace –
Except, whereas 'twas Wilderness –
It's better – almost Peace – (F421/J584)

然而，遺忘卻一直是最殘忍的。從遺忘中被凝視，在遺忘中驚鴻一瞥。第一行的“To be forgot by thee”，游移在主動和被動之間。記憶能夠選擇，遺忘充滿盤算。但能夠由遺忘中的驚鴻一瞥被憶起的，往往是我們最想忘卻的部份。

To be forgot by thee
Surpasses Memory
Of other minds
The Heart cannot forget
Unless it contemplate
What it declines
I was regarded then
Raised from oblivion
A single time
To be remembered what —
Worthy to be forgot
Is my renown (J1560/Fr1601)

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