They Put Us Far Apart

For mezzo soprano and piano 

The story of forbidden love is not an uncommon theme across artistic platforms. Whether by physical or societal separation, we are drawn to this idea of banned infatuation. This piece invites listeners to consider what type of love society has deemed forbidden, and the significance of what we are denying those affected by such restrictions. 

Text by Emily Dickinson, first published in 1935:

They put Us far apart—
As separate as Sea
And Her unsown Peninsula—
We signified "These see"—

They took away our Eyes—
They thwarted Us with Guns—
"I see Thee" each responded straight
Through Telegraphic Signs—

With Dungeons—They devised—
But through their thickest skill—
And their opaquest Adamant— Our Souls saw—just as well—

They summoned Us to die—
With sweet alacrity
We stood upon our stapled feet—
Condemned—but just—to see—

Permission to recant—
Permission to forget—
We turned our backs upon the Sun
For perjury of that—

Not Either—noticed Death—
Of Paradise—aware—
Each other's Face—was all the Disc
Each other's setting—saw—