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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson | Emily Dickinson

““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 way I know it. Is there any other way?”
#378
I saw no Way — The Heavens were stitched —
I felt the Columns close —
The Earth reversed her Hemispheres —
I touched the Universe —

(CONT)

vivastory
And back it slid — and I alone —
A Speck upon a Ball —
Went out upon Circumference —
Beyond the Dip of Bell —

#1129
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 —
(CONT) (edited) 1y

vivastory At the end of last year I bought the tagged book. I own a few much loved editions of Emily Dickinson's selected poetry; she has been a personal favorite for many years. I made it a loose goal to read through the complete volume this year. Throughout the year I dipped in & out at random times when I had free time & needed boosts of clarity, fortitude, & the charged experience that Dickinson's work offers. A few days ago I realized that I had (CONT) 1y

vivastory only a couple of hundred pages left & have since finished & I am so happy that this is my final read of the year. The experience of reading all 1.775 of Dickinson's poems, even if it was spaced out over months, was remarkable. This is a volume that I will be returning to for years to come. The Complete Poems were published nearly 70 years after her passing, in their restored format. Seventy years after the publication of The Complete Poems (CONT) 1y

See All 14 Comments

vivastory we are still coming to terms with Dickinson's idiosyncratic voice. 1y

TrishB What a fantastic way to read them. 1y

LeahBergen What a great reading project! She‘s always been a favourite of mine, too. 1y

batsy I agree, a fantastic reading project. You might have given me an idea for me to read her Complete Poems this way for 2024. She's incredible 💜 1y

vivastory @TrishB Thanks, Trish! Happy New Year 🙌 1y

vivastory @LeahBergen Thanks, Leah! I had been meaning to do this for...years & years. So, it felt like quite the accomplishment. Happy New Year, friend 😃 1y

vivastory @batsy I have a few of the Collected/Completed Poetry editions & I think that this is how I am going to do it in the future. My goal for 2024 is Saga of The Icelanders & maybe The Complete Translations of Heaney. Happy New Year 💙 (edited) 1y

Branwen I love Emily Dickinson so much! 🥰 What a wonderful reading journey you took! I was lucky enough a few years ago to visit the Emily Dickinson exhibit they had at The Morgan Library in NYC! It was life changing, for sure! 💕📚 1y

vivastory @Branwen That's awesome!! I have been to NYC a few times have had some great experiences, but have yet to see anything to do with Dickinson! I think that people often overlook library exhibits. Several years ago I saw a Shakespeare First Folio exhibit at my local library & it was breathtaking 1y

batsy @vivastory I got out my Dickinson's Complete Poems and it was an excellent decision. Thank you for the inspiration! Happy New Year to you 💜 1y

Branwen @vivastory Oh wooooooow! I can't even imagine how amazing that must have been! 🥰📚 1y

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