Emily Dickinson was one of the first poets I ever appreciated, possibly because she’s succinct. After all of the complicated, flowery shite we got buried under in class, it was a relief to meet a poet able to make her point in a few powerful lines.
The woman had more insight into humanity than almost anyone else. Considering she was a shut-in before the age of the intertoobz, that’s pretty remarkable.
Here’s two of my favorites.
“Faith” is a fine invention
When Gentlemen can see—
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.I took my Power in my Hand—
And went against the World—
‘Twas not so much as David—had—
But I—was twice as bold—I aimed by Pebble—but Myself
Was all the one that fell—
Was it Goliath—was too large—
Or was myself—too small?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for including Dickinson’s proper capitalization and punctuation! Too many editors edit them out, and do a disservice to her poetry as a result.
I asked no other thing,No other was denied.I offered Being for it;The mighty merchant smiled.Brazil? He twirled a button,Without a glance my way:”But, madam, is there nothing elseThat we can show to-day?”