Emily Dickinson Poems – Seven of our Favorites!

On the final day of National Poetry Month, we celebrate the poems of Emily Dickinson, one of our favorite poets!

Emily Dickinson (December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886) was an American poet, whose poems “experimented with expression in order to free it from conventional restraints.” (Poetry Foundation) Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent family with strong ties to its community. After studying at the Amherst Academy for seven years in her youth, she briefly attended the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary before returning to her family’s house in Amherst.

Evidence suggests that Dickinson lived much of her life in isolation. Considered an eccentric by locals, she developed a penchant for white clothing and was known for her reluctance to greet guests or, later in life, to even leave her bedroom. Dickinson never married, and most friendships between her and others depended entirely upon correspondence.

While Dickinson was a prolific poet, only 10 of her nearly 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime.  The poems published then were usually edited significantly to fit conventional poetic rules. Her poems were unique to her era. They contain short lines, typically lack titles, and often use slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation. Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality, two recurring topics in letters to her friends. (via Wikipedia)

FREE Ebook of
Emily Dickinson Poems!

 
 

There is No Frigate
Like a Book
Emily Dickinson

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away,
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears a Human soul.

Biographies of
Emily Dickinson

 

*** What are your favorite Emily Dickinson poems ?

 

NEXT POEM >>>>>>

 

Current NY Times
Best Sellers List

 

When did Emily Dickinson live?

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830 in Amherst, Massaschusetts and died on May 15, 1886 also in Amherst, Massachusetts.

What was the first poem that Emily Dickinson published?

The first poem by Emily Dickinson to be published was Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, which was printed in February of 1852 in the Springfield Daily Republican, according to the Emily Dickinson Museum.

How many poems did Emily Dickinson write?

She wrote nearly 1800 poems, but only about 10 of them were published during her lifetime. (Wikipedia)

 
UPDATED: June 2024