On Emily Dickinson
 

The essay on her poem will not be back, and that's good news for me!!

Re personae, and worth remembering.

In an 1862 letter to TW Higginson, Dickinson warned against this when reading her poetry: “When I state myself, as the Representative of the Verse – it does not mean – me – but a supposed person.”

I think this is a very astute analysis. You reach into the poem and allow us to observe, with you, some of Dickinson's genius. The most prominent feature of that genius is the rhyming, I think. Tricks with metre and to some extent with diction had / have been pulled-off by many poets, but the conceptual rhyming is all her.

Interesting observations, Ralph. Thanks for this. A wee typo here:

     —and a surprise in stanza 3: Rising/Sun.

This should be

     —and a surprise in stanza 3: Ring/Sun.

Thanks W.T. and Julie. Amazing that the typo is exactly where it shouldn't be!

A few words from Dickinson added.

Re personae, and worth remembering.

In an 1862 letter to TW Higginson, Dickinson warned against this when reading her poetry: “When I state myself, as the Representative of the Verse – it does not mean – me – but a supposed person.”

RCL - On Emily Dickinson
 

Dear Ralph,

This is of great consolation to me and I would love to read more on her thoughts. Is there an online source you find helpful? Link?

Thanks!
~mignon

I'm currently reworking an essay on her and just today was consulting a book you can have for 99 cents from Amazon: Helen McNeil, Emily Dickinson. Her Introduction to a selection of the poems is brief but enlightening. There are several versions, all the same except for covers, some for money, but look for one that's 99 cents and--yikes! do you have kindle? If so, you can download it. As I recall, there is also a paperback offered, also for a few $. Let me know if you find it and make the purchase.

added: the one with a solid blue cover is what you want for "less than a buck."

RCL - On Emily Dickinson
 

Dear Ralph,

This is great news and I’ve taken note of the information.

About your essay, will we be able to read it? Also, dare I ask what brought about the reworking of it? My mind wonders about things like ‘were you younger when you wrote it and have changed your mind about some things’ or maybe your style of writing has evolved from then.. I know, I’m nosy.

Thank you immensely for going the extra mile!
~mignon

More Words for the Wind
 

Thanks for asking. I'm adding to it and generally revising for publication. Will let you know when it happens.

Rcl
 

Thank you, Ralph
~m