Analyzing Emily Dickinson's 'The Bells'

Adam sat on the stool with one foot on the tread at the bottom and the other straight down with his foot touching the floor. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, drawing the tobacco in deep and slowing releasing the smoke, he took another drag before he set it in the ashtray on the table. Almost as though that cigarette was the sustenance that gave him the encouragement needed for the performance he was about to give. Without preamble, he picked up the book and read some poems by Emily Dickinson. When he was done, he returned the book on the table and took another drag off the cigarette before putting it out.

He subsequently stood up and announced the next poem would be “The Bells” by Edgar Allen Poe. He started

out with his voice low, as the performance went on, his voice turned husky and he started to pace the stage acting out Poe’s poem. When the poem got to the point where Poe was really in turmoil from the bells, Adam’s voice grew louder and louder. It was so flawlessly done that you could actually feel Poe’s emotions of joy, melancholy, and the absolute turmoil felt over those bells. Not a sound was made as he recited it by heart, every eye on him, every ear listened intently. What a magnificent performance he gave. The room broke out in a thunder of table slapping before he once again sat on the stool. Adam informed us that he would recite a few poems that he himself wrote, hopeful that we enjoyed them as much as he did writing them. His voice always changed to reflect the poem he was reciting. Whereas, during one of those poems our eyes met momentarily across that smoky room and I could tell at that moment, that he too, had recognized me. Once he was done, he again received a thunder of table slapping. He told us there would be a short intermission and that he would return to the stage in fifteen minutes for something magical.
Adam left the stage and walked purposely towards the table where I was seated, “my name is Adam he said and reached out his hand, mind if I join you during the break,” shaking his hand I told him my name was Robin, and I would be flattered if you did. The waitress brought him a drink as soon as he was seated. I told him I was captivated by the brilliant performance that he gave, asking how often he performed here. “Usually only once per week, on Fridays, however occasionally I fill in for someone else if needed.” We spoke for a few minutes longer before it was time for him to return to the stage and complete his show. Taking my hand, he kissed it, “perhaps we might talk more once I have finished for the evening.” He was a complete gentleman indeed! I, of course, replied yes, as he’d already held my interest; more than I dared to admit.

Adam’s next act was magical indeed; it turned out to be a magic act!

Adam appeared to be very multi-talented when it came to entertaining people, a natural born entertainer. He was on stage for another forty-five minutes before the show came to an end. He’d started out doing The Dancing Handkerchief, moved on to The Floating Lady, The Linking Ring, Cut and the Restore Rope Trick, plus a few others, including the Vanishing Cigarette. Adam then requested assistance from someone in the audience to help him with a few card tricks. When no one responded, he pointed to me, and asked if I would assist him. Since he had singled me out, I had no choice but to comply. Adam did a few card tricks, Bert’s Deception, Mental Mystery and the Whispering Deck. When he was done with the card tricks, he asked the audience for some applause for his assistant, after which I left the stage and returned to my table. His final magic act for the evening was The Vanishing Birdcage saving the best for last. I was completely perplexed on how that birdcage managed to disappear and made a mental note to ask him later on if he might divulge the secret. Once again he received a thunder of loud table slapping for putting on a superb

show.

He left the stage and again returned to my table.

Just as he sat down before we had a chance to utter a word, the waitress appeared and I ordered a diet with lime, whereas Adam asked for a Pepsi with lime. We acknowledged that we were neighbors and had not had a proper introduction. Conversation came effortlessly for us, as we established that we both shared a love for poetry and writing. However, we did not have much time as The Coffeehouse was getting ready to close for the evening, then Adam asked: “may I give you a ride home?” The rain had finally stopped. On the way home, I asked him what he did for a living, “I work at UPS, mostly for the benefits; however, my true loves are publishing, writing, and magic.” So how exactly did the magic fit in, I asked? “I always had a love for magic since I was a little boy, and if you believe in magic anything is possible” he replied. It was my turn to tell him what I did for a living, which was by far not nearly as exciting as his; I worked as the team leader in the accounts payable department for a non-profit organization. I told him I had been with the firm now for eight years and for the most part enjoyed my job. The firm was in the process of a software implementation of which I am an integral part. My role is to test the software, write the training manuals and teach my department as well as the receivables department how to use the software. “That sounds like a good fit for you, since you enjoy writing, and you must find it a

rewarding job.” I found out that he had just turned thirty-one and told him that I had just turned twenty-eight; our birthdays were just one week apart, his in late May and mine, early June. We arrived at the building where our apartments were and sadly it was time for us to say good-night. Adam saw me to my door where he again raised my hand, kissed it and inquired “would you care to join me for dinner tomorrow evening if you have nothing else planned, I know it is short notice, however, I would like to get to know you more.” I asked him if six o’clock would work “Great, it’s a date, see you tomorrow night then.” I barely slept at all that night as I was full of anticipation about my date with Adam the subsequent evening.

Saturday came and I managed to keep myself busy during the day by doing small Saturday chores, going grocery shopping, doing the laundry and cleaning my apartment. Around four-thirty it was time for me to start getting ready. I took care in having picked just the right outfit to wear, which was a purple long bell sleeved maxi dress with a silver necklace, hoop earrings, and a matching bracelet. My strawberry blond hair was naturally curly and long, it was cut so that it framed my face in layers, and therefore, I just left it parted in the middle for the evening. The only makeup I wore was mascara, blush and a light colored lipstick as I liked to look as natural as possible. By the time, I had finished dressing it was almost six o’clock. Right at six, as promised Adam knocked on my door. He picked a place called Al’s Char house for dinner and reservations had been made for six-thirty. As I left my apartment, I grabbed my coat and we were on our way. Al’s was not far from where we lived. That night was beautiful, no rain or wind as the previous night, so we chose to walk to the restaurant, as opposed to driving. As we walked, Adam told me “I’m glad you were ready on time, as I deplore lateness.” I laughed heartily as I agreed with him and said that I felt the same way, and had issues being late for anything. We talked as we walked along on our way to the restaurant. Once again we discussed the coffeehouse and Adam wanted to know “what did you think of the coffeehouse, since you had never been in one before?” I replied that I really had enjoyed myself immensely.
Al’s was a well-known steakhouse that had been located in the lower level of a building that housed a Mexican restaurant on the main floor. Al’s had a unique ambiance which made it a wonderful choice, and I was delighted Adam had selected it. Their booths were all designed so that everyone had their own privacy during their meal, with the lighting turned down and candles on the tables, it made for perfect surroundings for a first date.

As we poured over the menu, the waitress appeared and asked what we wanted to drink, I requested a diet Pepsi and Adam asked for a regular Pepsi. When she returned with the drinks, our decision’s had been made and we were ready to order our dinner. I ordered the broiled salmon with vegetables; no potatoes and Adam requested the prime rib with mashed potatoes. We’d brought up the discussion of food as we waited and I found out that we certainly did not agree on our food choices, Adam preferred mostly steak, chicken, and pasta with butter or mashed potatoes and I was more a chicken, fish, and pork with salad or vegetable person. Also, he liked bland food and was not very adventurous to try new things, whereas, I enjoyed food with flavor and spice; I am always willing to try something new and exciting. Our dinner was totally scrumptious and we both enjoyed the food and company thoroughly. We’d found out so much about each other over dinner. Adam ask me “what is your favorite season of the year and holiday?” Honestly my favorite season was fall, whereas, my favorite holiday happened to be Christmas. His was the same as mine. We both appreciated poetry, nature, books, history, and music. Adam, it turned out was every bit of a romantic as was I. Neither of us was money-oriented, preferring the simpler things in life. One main difference was our religious background and views, he having been Catholic and I Non-Denominational. However, he did not have a belief in God as did I. When it came to siblings he had one older sister whereas I had two older brothers; therefore, we were both the youngest in our families.

On the way home, he asked “would mind coming to The Coffeehouse the following Friday?” and I told him I would be there, that I wouldn’t miss it. At the door to my apartment when our evening came to a close he requested my phone number so that he might call me, I took out a pen and paper from my purse, wrote it down and gave it to him. We stood there for a moment, suspended in that moment, and I became full of anticipation as Adam tenderly touched my face, looked deep into my eyes and leaned in to kiss me. His kiss was as magical as he; so very gentle that in that one second in time my world stopped and I felt as though I could not possible breath another breath. Instinctively I felt that he had experienced the same feeling also. I knew right then that my life was about to transform, and not in a terrible way either. He then took his leave for the night, smiling and winking as he left. We were two souls destined to meet. He called the following day to tell me how much he had enjoyed our date and looked forward to doing it again soon.