Always

Always

when Dickinson was the rage

a few close friends turned her page

being misunderstood was her norm

incessantly, she violated form

hymnal lines so astute

but a floozy's quill 

bent to her will

the poetic rules she could scarcely recruit

The belle of Amherst declined invitation

she had her own accreditation

within her father's house, her degrees she earned

a life of conformity she spurned

now Dickinson is still the rage

a million strangers yet turning her page.

erin-cilberto

1/24/2021

Reviews

[Laz K.]

Perhaps it was part of the "plan" that she never found wider recognition. It might have affected her silent inner work, or have stopped it altogether. Artists like that "sacrifice" a lot for the benefit of posterity - unknowingly, of course. Some people on this site might be "discovered" by future generations. So, write on, everyone! :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I feel you are right...there are so many legacies built here...one day it will all be discovered...
and someone would say..."wow, look at what I found, Poetry!"
thank you for your words, Laz.
j.

[Kaylor Mason]

Very true. The ones that break convention and defy the rules are the ones that last.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Kaylor, I appreciate your visit and words.
j..

[Dave]

It isn't easy to be a non-conformist. Too bad that it takes so much time to discover the brilliance that lay hidden by a persons' non-conformity. Certainly, Emily has proven so many of her early critics wrong.

Take care - Dave

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, she has...her work lives eternal....
thank you, Dave,
j.

[AJNJ]

Brilliance never confirms. It knows no boundaries. It has its own course to take.
A great poem on a great writer!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I always smile when I hear Emily get a compliment...
I love her work more than the work of any other poet.
She is the Belle of the Poetry Ball to me.
thank you, on behalf of Emily.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

One of the USA greatest writers. She was very educated. She went to the best schools. Thank you for her sister and her friend. We would of missed her words and thoughts. I have reading her lately. A YouTuber went to her house and she told me her story. She was a mystery but in the old world. Woman were left to their own things. She loved and cared for many people. Thank you Jacob for remembering a legend of writing.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Coyote. Yes, she was and is my favorite poet.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Patricia Wedel]

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul -
and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all".
Note: a wee bit of Emily rests in my soul... tenderly, Pat
Your poem is a delicate tribute to a fragile... but strong Lady.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Pat, and Yes, I think she was that.
j.

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

another brilliant poem...another lesson learned....perfect poetry penned by you once again.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Rico,'
j.

[John the Baptist]

It is interesting how ED continues to flourish, considering she wrote in rhyme in an idiosyncratic manner. It has to be the spiritual topics she touched upon, which span all generations.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and oddly enough with all the spiritual writings she always claimed not to believe in God...and yet so many poems dealing with death and immortality.
thank you, John,
j.

[Rick Puetter]

Interesting form, rhyming couplets with an enclosed-rhyme quatrain in the middle (well almost the middle). And you nicely describe Dickinson's non-conformity as well. Greatly enjoyed.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Rick,
j.

[MCS]

Brilliant read Jacob, I enjoyed this greatly, thank you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Mary,
j.