Have you ever been captivated by the way poetry can capture the essence of life and love?
Emily Dickinson’s work is a timeless exploration of these universal themes, offering profound insights with her distinct voice.
Here are 10 astounding poems by Dickinson that beautifully weave together the stories of life and love, revealing her mastery of emotion and language.
Let’s jump right in!
My favorite poem by Emily Dickinson
#1 “A Word” by Emily Dickinson
A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.
I say it just
Begins to live
That day.
I love this poem because it captures the power and life of words in such a simple way.
Dickinson flips the idea that words die once said, suggesting instead that they start their journey then, which makes me think about their lasting impact.
This just shows how powerful words can be, so we must be responsible on what we say to others and even to ourselves as these words can make us or break us.
9 more poems by Emily Dickinson
#2 “Forbidden Fruit” by Emily Dickinson
Heaven is what I cannot reach!
The apple on the tree,
Provided it do hopeless hang,
That ‘heaven’ is, to me.
The color on the cruising cloud,
The interdicted ground
Behind the hill, the house behind, —
There Paradise is found!
#3 “Time’s Lesson” by Emily Dickinson
Mine enemy is growing old, —
I have at last revenge.
The palate of the hate departs;
If any would avenge, —
Let him be quick, the viand flits,
It is a faded meat.
Anger as soon as fed is dead;
‘T is starving makes it fat.
#4 “With A Flower” by Emily Dickinson
I hide myself within my flower,
That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too —
And angels know the rest.
I hide myself within my flower,
That, fading from your vase,
You, unsuspecting, feel for me
Almost a loneliness.
#5 “A Snake” by Emily Dickinson
Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,
Until we meet a snake;
‘T is then we sigh for houses,
And our departure take
At that enthralling gallop
That only childhood knows.
A snake is summer’s treason,
And guile is where it goes.
#6 “Afraid? Of Whom Am I Afraid?” by Emily Dickinson
Afraid? Of whom am I afraid?
Not death; for who is he?
The porter of my father’s lodge
As much abasheth me.
Of life? ‘T were odd I fear a thing
That comprehendeth me
In one or more existences
At Deity’s decree.
Of resurrection? Is the east
Afraid to trust the morn
With her fastidious forehead?
As soon impeach my crown!
#7 “I’m Nobody! Who Are You?” by Emily Dickinson
I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there ‘s a pair of us — don’t tell!
They ‘d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
#8 “Aspiration” by Emily Dickinson
We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies.
The heroism we recite
Would be a daily thing,
Did not ourselves the cubits warp
For fear to be a king.
#9 “If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking” by Emily Dickinson
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
#10 “I Had No Time To Hate” by Emily Dickinson
I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity.
Nor had I time to love; but since
Some industry must be,
The little toil of love, I thought,
Was large enough for me.