Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

POET SPOTLIGHT:

“Wild nights - Wild nights!”

By Emily Dickinson

Wild nights - Wild nights!

Were I with thee

Wild nights should be

Our luxury!

Futile - the winds -

To a Heart in port -

Done with the Compass -

Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden -

Ah - the Sea!

Might I but moor - tonight -

In thee!

“Tell all the truth but tell it slant”

By Emily Dickinson

Tell all the truth but tell it slant —

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind —

“Success is counted sweetest”

By Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne'er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host

Who took the Flag today

Can tell the definition

So clear of victory

As he defeated – dying –

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Burst agonized and clear!

Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts and attended both Mount Holyoke Female Seminary and Amherst (which her grandfather founded). However, Dickinson was sick for most of her life, and later left school due to health problems and returned home. Dickinson lived the rest of her life in her family home, spending most of her time alone in her bedroom. During her life, little was known about her literary talent, but after her death, her sister found her 1,800 poems. A family friend helped type and posthumously publish her poems, and Dickinson is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry.