A Pile of Mountains

Around a Pile of Mountains —

And supercilious peer

In Shanties — by the sides of Roads —

And then a Quarry pare

These lines are from a poem by Emily Dickinson titled "I like to see it lap the Miles." The poem describes the movement of a train through the landscape, and the lines you have quoted suggest that the train passes through various environments, including mountains, huts, and quarries.

The phrase "Around a Pile of Mountains" indicates that the train can move through again quickly. The word "up easily peer" suggests that the train is almost arrogant in its ability to conquer even the most challenging landscapes.

The lines "In Shanties - by the sides of Roads - And then a Quarry pare" suggest that the train passes through both rural and industrial landscapes and can move seamlessly between these different environments. The poem can be interpreted as a celebration of the power and beauty of technology and a reminder of how it has transformed our relationship with the natural world.

At the same time, the poem also suggests that there is a kind of beauty in even the most humble and unremarkable aspects of the landscape and that technology can help us to appreciate and understand this beauty more deeply.

N E X T

To fit its Ribs

And crawl between

Complaining all the while

In horrid — hooting stanza —

Then chase itself down Hill —