Emily Dickinson
Thinking of her words on her birthday
Today is the birthday of the poet Emily Dickinson, born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830. Her writings and poems weren’t very much known while she was alive, in fact only 10 of her poems were ever published in her lifetime, though today she is one of our most important American poets.
My mom and I share a common admiration for Emily, and in March 2017, we put together an event at the Morgan Library and Museum, connected with their exhibit, ‘I'm Nobody? Who are you? The Life and Poetry of Emily Dickinson and Delirium: The Art of the Symbolist Book.’ The evening was comprised of poetry, letters, stories, and songs, all connected with Emily - her life and her work. It was one of my favorite evenings of ours, and looking at our set-list and the show’s outline now, it makes me smile remembering all the research and prep work, sharing the stage together in the way we did. I would love to revisit this show again sometime.
As part of tradition, we’ve also started nearly every Pathway to Paris event with ‘Nature is what we see,’ a poem of Emily’s - my mom reading, Becky on cello, and me on piano. Here is one of those readings from December 2015:
“Nature” is what we see—
The Hill—the Afternoon—
Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee—
Nay—Nature is Heaven—
Nature is what we hear—
The Bobolink—the Sea—
Thunder—the Cricket—
Nay—Nature is Harmony—
Nature is what we know—
Yet have no art to say—
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity
Emily’s love of nature is evident through the words and themes of many of her poems, and also her passion for botany. Years before she started writing poems, she put together an herbarium of pressed plants and flowers, including their botanical nomenclature. Here is a link with many pages and more information about her collection.
One of my favorite collections of Emily’s writings are her ‘envelope poems,’ words written with her perfectly legible micro-handwriting on 52 envelopes and envelope scraps. Images of them are printed with text into a book by New Directions.
Emily’s family home in Amherst is a museum open to the public, in case you find yourself nearby there to visit. I’ve never been and would love to sometime. They have a newsletter and events (in person and virtual), and plenty of resources to learn more about Emily and her family legacy.
Here is more about Emily’s life and her collected poems and related articles to read.
Emily Inspired Writing Exercise
Here are some quotes of Emily’s taken from her letters and poems. If any of them resonate with you today, maybe take one as inspiration for journal writing, free writing, or any kind of expression - a poem, song, painting, drawing.
Emily Quotes:
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.”
“We turn not older with years but newer every day.”
“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.”
“That it will never come again is what makes life sweet. Dwell in possibility. Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”
“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?”
“Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.”
“The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul--BOOKS.”
“The lovely flowers embarrass me. They make me regret I am not a bee...”
“I don't profess to be profound; but I do lay claim to common sense.”
“Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it.”
“Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon.”
“To shut your eyes is to travel.”
“your brain is wider than the sky”
“How do most people live without any thought? There are many people in the world,--you must have noticed them in the street,--how do they live? How do they get strength to put on their clothes in the morning?”
“I have been bent and broken, but -I hope- into a better shape.”
“To be alive──is Power.”
Which is your favorite? I like them all, but I like this one in particular today: “To be alive──is Power.” It reminds me of something we know very well though sometimes forget when days are difficult.
Thank you for reading and as always, please share anything you like in the comments - a favorite poem of Emily’s, your favorite of the quotes listed above, or anything inspired by one of them. Have a wonderful day today and a wonderful week. :)
Thank you for this, dear Jesse. When I was a little girl I considered Emily Dickinson my best friend and every December 10th I would have a special birthday recital of her poems. This morning I have been reading the wonderful new edition of her letters from Belknap Press.
The evening at the Morgan with your mother was beautiful. How wonderful it would be for you to revisit it.
With gratitude for your always heartfelt readings and reflections, and warm wishes to all.
Robin
She has been an influence in my writing for a very long time. I couldn't get enough of her poetry when I was a teenager, her quote “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.” Meant a lot to me back then (and at times, still.) It's been a long time since I read her, far too long, it is time for me to revisit her work again. I love them all (the quotes), too. Your choice for favorite is excellent...being alive and being aware is a subject I have written about many times. I have called it "the beautiful terror." The first time I was so aware of being alive, I think I was nine years old (maybe younger or maybe a little older) running around outside in the woods and fields near my house, it was exciting and scary at the same time, it was beautiful, I never forgot that moment. “To be alive──is Power.” Yes, it is!