"Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul.” Whether you’re a poetry buff or not, you probably have heard this line and know that it is pure Emily Dickinson.
I have to admit that I have been late in coming to a real appreciation of poetry. For me, it was mostly a matter of not really understanding what the poet was trying to say. Over the past few years, though, poets like Mary Oliver and Rumi have touched a chord in me and made me realize that poetry is like music; it bypasses the head and goes straight to the heart.Emily Dickinson is one of America’s most widely beloved and quoted poets. Writing in the 19th century, Dickinson questioned her somewhat puritanical background and explored her spirituality through her very personal poetry. That may be why Lois, also known as LoKackl, writes in her article, Emily Dickinson, the Less is More Poet, that “each Emily Dickinson poem seems to be about me.” There are several Squidoo pages about Emily Dickinson but I particularly like this one by Lois because she tells a personal story. The first time she heard an Emily Dickinson poem at Salem College in North Carolina, she says it set off sparks in her head, like eruptions. At the time, the popular song “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack, became associated for her with “newly discovered Dickinson poems that quietly torpedoed her lukewarm attitude toward poetry.” Lois, a wonderful writer herself, shares eloquently how certain poems affected her. I am betting that you will really enjoy the enthusiasm for Emily Dickinson she brings to her writing.Although Dickinson died in 1886, her popularity has not waned. Groups all over the world get together to discuss her works and to figure out what has made her so successful. One of Lois’ friends says, "Once Emily Dickinson gets hold of you, she never lets go!"Do you have a favorite poet or Emily Dickinson poem?Visit: Emily Dickinson
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ReplyDelete"Less is More Poet" is such an apt description for Emily Dickinson. I'm already familiar with this wonderful introduction to her poetry from Lois and love the feeling of connection to this poet that she describes. I don't read as much poetry as I think I should, but every so often do find one that makes a similar connection and, as you so beautifully put it, goes straight to the heart.
ReplyDeleteComing from such admired writers as yourself, Wordcustard, "your kindness claims my gratitude," (ED), more than you imagine.
ReplyDelete.-= Lokackl´s last blog ..Don’t Expect A Graduation Invitation =-.
I have just now retrieved from my bookshelf, Six American Poets: An Anthology. Emily Dickinson is listed along with five men -- Walt Whitman, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes.
ReplyDeleteThe author, talking about Emily's "reclusiveness," states, "With so finely tuned an imagination as hers, an up-to-date passport would have been redundant." He cites the following:
I never saw a Moor --
I never saw the Sea --
Yet know I how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be.
Kim, Lois, you've both inspired me. Thank you.
This just keeps getting better! What a great quote from the anthology editor. If you think of it, I'd like to know the name. Affy, Lois
ReplyDelete.-= Lokackl´s last blog ..Don’t Expect A Graduation Invitation =-.
The anthology editor, Lois? ...Joel Conarroe...sorry, forgot to mention.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite Emily Dickinson poem is probably "If I can stop one heart from breaking." It's so simple, but every single word counts.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that Squidoo lens; there is something about people talking about their personal connections with a poet that make reading their thoughts pretty exciting.