Happy Tax Day. Poor April 15–only in the U.S. is the day treated like a loathsome relative whose impending visit inspires dread, whose arrival provokes curses, tears, and frantic rushing about, and whose departure is welcomed with relief that it’s over for another year. There’s no hospitality, even at The Compound, for Tax Day.
For a young woman living in Amherst, Massachusetts, this date in 1862 was among the most significant of her life. It’s the date when a literary critic received a letter from her asking if he would look at four of her poems. This began a lifelong correspondence between the two. Though few of her poems were published while she was alive, some 1800 poems had been written by the time she died. Her friend helped edit many of those poems for publication.
April is National Poetry Month. Each April, the Academy of American Poets produces a poster which it distributes free of charge to schools, libraries, bookstores, and community centers to promote poetry awareness. Emily Dickinson’s only known existing article of clothing graced the 2005 poster:
I’m so lucky that when I first began to think that my future would involve the study of literature, I lived in a home full of good books. When I went away to college, the library was my favorite place to be, and the only gifts I asked for were books.
I still have some of those books. I still take them off the shelf occasionally, and I still discover new ideas and concepts within their pages. I wouldn’t want to endure a life without reading. I’ll always have a love of poetry and affection for the tiny woman living in her own small world whose voice is as large as imagination itself.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all
I hope people always celebrate the joys of reading. I also hope your Tax Day is painless.
Emily quotes Emily in PK… as for April 15th NOT being a day of maximum suck-a-tude, tell it to the passengers of the RMS Titanic. ;0)
Wasn’t the Titanic an American ship?
I am shamed to say I have never read Emily Dickinson.
no it was a British ship .. however the White Star Line had been purchased by the International Merchantile Marine CO and the building of the Titanic was funded by American JP Morgan, who was not able to make it’s maiden voyage. But before you think he’s lucky, he probably would have survived. More first class men were rescued then third class children
The US Senate did hold an inquiry since there was such a large loss of American life
I am a wealth of Titanic knowledge.
I know, that’s why I asked.
And we’re fonduing Becky’s lovely post about Emily Dickinson.
And I wonder why I don’t get sheets….
I’ve been fondone!
Then if you haven’t seen it, make sure to see the exhibit of Titanic artifacts that David and I saw (different times, different cities) if it’s ever near you. I thought it was fascinating.
I have seen the Titanic exhibit … or at least I have seen a version of it. When I lived in St Pete the exhibit came around EXACTLY when the movie opened … and frankly it saved the museum from closing. When the exhibit was there all the little cafe’s did Titanic themed nights … one of them had a gala and they served the last meal that was had on the ship. I went several times… I am a Titanic Geek
and I did not initially fondue, and shall redeem myself right now. Emily quotes Emily Dickenson on the very first page of the book …
Did you name your Emily after the belle of Amherst?
Actually I did not name Emily at all … I needed a name for a sweet everygirl type who slips through life unnoticed … so I asked Greg … he gave me Emily — and then the Dickenson thing clicked and worked into the second paragraph … and he gave me her last name too … I am just now getting good with names. Well, at least with one name that is pretty good.
What you e-mailed me, I so enjoyed.
thank you … paragraph 2 I have to be honest I was pretty sure that Emily D wrote that … but I wasn’t positive and I prayed and prayed while I was looking it up! I was thrilled when I learned I remembered something from my poetry classes
I may see the exhibit again – in a different city – this summer. I’ll blog when I know more.
You’re a Titanic groupie, aren’t you?
Remind me someday to tell you the story of my student and Emily Dickinson. It’s one of my favorite stories from my teaching years.
By the way, Marika, please note that the bird I photographed today is, according to Tom, a white winged dove.
I’m impressed… although if it was a ONE winged dove, I’d be REALLY impressed.
I sent you mail … in honor of Emily D… and it occurs to me a one winged dove might not make it up that high …
Is Emily Dickinson to you like O.Henry is to me? I’d buy him a beer. : )
I’m picturing Emily and Becky settling in with a couple of Brewski’s
Emily: I taste a liquor never brewed.
Me: I’ll have what she’s having.
I think YOU may be to me as O. Henry is to you.
Well, except you’re not in a cemetery. At least not at this time of night.
Then this bud’s for you. : )
(Love it, when I can find a double-meaning in a jingle. I need to get out more, huh?)
Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.
When you have done pray tell me,
Then I, my thoughts, will dim.
Haste! ‘lest while you’re lagging
I may remember him!
One of my favorites of hers.
She conveys more in a few lines than most of us can manage in entire novels.
I have always had a special place in my heart for Miss Emily D. She was a driving force to me for a long time. 🙂 So this made me kind-of content and nostalgic. And I LOVE birds on wires. In particularly, this one, with the moon in the background.
I could never have gotten a shot like that with my old camera. =)
I’m glad you liked the post.
Dude, go check out this cake plate.
What a lovely entry, Becky.
Thanks, Gary.
“I still take them off the shelf occasionally, and I still discover new ideas and concepts within their pages. I wouldn’t want to endure a life without reading.”
*nods in complete agreement*
I rather like the juxtapostion of “books & taxes” rather than “death & taxes” . . .
Oh, good point. Immortality versus, well, mortality. =)