Tag Archives: Emily Dickinson

Remembering emily and watching the madness

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I was always attracted to the poems of Emily Dickinson. It started in the seventh grade with Mrs. Rice reading one of her poems that begins, “I’m nobody! Who are you?” I suppose as a pre-teen at the time, I was fascinated by someone actually admitting from the start that they were “nobody”. Perhaps a little simplistic thinking on my part at the time. But I became very motivated to delve into the meaning of her poems especially the more depressing and sometimes even darker ones. I read her biographies which always intrigued me. But don’t ask me why; they just did.

These days, I am somewhere in between feeling hopeful and depressed by all the madness that seems to be exhibited at all levels by so many of us. More maddening is that the paradoxes and ironies of the madness come from our so called leaders. I crave more thought provoking poems to help me understand and cope with it all. I read more about keeping faith and spirituality.

Here is a poem by Emily Dickinson I reread recently that seems to connect to what is happening right now. What do you think?

 

Much madness is divinest sense

Much madness is divinest sense

to discerning eye;

Much sense the starkest madness.

“Tis the majority

In this, as all, prevails.

Assent, and you are sane;

Demur, –you’re straightway dangerous

And handled with a chain.

HAPPY NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

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April is National Poetry Month and as always I try to attend as many poetry readings as I possibly can. When I taught high school I would also attend conferences and workshops for educators and poets. I have so many wonderful memories of those days.

Another great activity this month is Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019 is on April 18 and is part of National Poetry Month. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

I would like to invite WordPress Poet/bloggers to post a Poem a Day for the entire month. We need to get into the rhythm and focus on the things that help us get through difficult times. Poets speak to all issues but most of all as a friend told me once (who happens to be a poet) “Poets are little gods.”

For me, poetry is life and life is poetry. I shared many of my original poems and I am so grateful for your comments and encouragement I have received since I started my blog in 2012.

So let’s get into the rhythm and create some mindful poetry. Happy National Poetry !!!

 

Art by Melba Christie

Poetess

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I love the sound of poetisa, Spanish for female poet or poetess. In honor of Women’s History Month I must salute my favorite poetisas. I will focus on Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, and Julia Burgos.

Emily Dickinson was first introduced to me in seventh grade. My teacher would have been classified as a spinster back then. She was in her late forties and not married. Today she would be a career women and no one would care if she had ever married or not. She was somewhat melancholy and thus I suppose this was her fascination with Emily Dickinson. What I recall vividly about my teacher was her interest in nature and that she was a loner like biographers depict Emily Dickinson.

I remember the poem I wanted to know by heart was “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” It must have been the question that followed that hooked me, “Are you nobody Too?” Perhaps that simply a rhetorical question for the pre-teen soul but why did it resonate with me? After all these years of reading poems by Emily Dickinson I think about that teacher and wonder if she too asked that burning question.

So many books have been written about the life of Emily Dickinson. Three books that I believe are excellent are Lives Like Loaded Guns,  Emily Dickinson: Selected Letters, and The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson. 

To find out more about Emily Dickinson you can find information at the Poetry Foundation website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/emily-dickinson.

Meet the challenge:

Finish this line from a poem by Emily Dickinson

“I’ll tell you how the sun rose ……”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tribute to Emily

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In honor of Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets since I began reading her poems in the sixth grade. I have a collection of books written about her. One of my favorites:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
(254, 1891)

Today is Emily’s Birthday. I wrote a poem a few years back which is published on-line at AllPoetry.com.

 

 

National Poetry Month

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April is the month to celebrate poetry. The month has been designated National Poetry Month.  I like to think that with April showers and the beginning of spring comes inspiration and thus more of us may be inclined to pay attention to our muses. I write poems every day. But there is something about spring that inspires me to read aloud my favorite poems and to write more of my own.

The Dodge Poetry Foundation is devoted to fomenting the appreciation of poetry read aloud. They sponsor teacher’s seminars called Clearing the Spring, Tending the Fountain, http://www.dodgepoetry.org/schools/spring-fountain/registration-information/ every year. 

Another great site is Poets.org. where you can create your own poetry notebook to collect your favorite poems. Many libraries and book stores sponsor poetry readings this month. Check your town’s local activity calendar.

Happy National Poetry Month. I want to thank the followers and supporters of Poemattic. I leave you with a few quotes to ponder: Happy reading and Happy writing!!

 

 

“Poetry is the journal of the sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air.  Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at the barriers of the unknown and the unknowable.  Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away.”  –Carl Sandburg, Poetry Considered

 

“To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie –
True Poems flee.”
–Emily Dickinson

Poetry is truth in its Sunday clothes. – Joseph Roux

Poetry is what in a poem makes you laugh, cry, prickle, be silent, makes your toe nails twinkle, makes you want to do this or that or nothing, makes you know that you are alone in the unknown world, that your bliss and suffering is forever shared and forever all your own.

What are your favorite quotes about poetry?

Image 

Melba Christie 

 

Good Day Sunshine

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“The sun proceeds unmoved

To measure off another day

For an approving God.”

– Emily Dickinson

 

Good Day Sunshine

So many have had something to say about you

whether you were on the rise in the morning

or falling into deep slumber in the evening

I like you best at morn

when you so well adorn

the sky and make me want to sigh.

– Melba Christie