I'm not okay.

Life has been throwing challenges my way lately, and I find myself struggling to keep up.

The weight of responsibilities and the expectations placed upon me are becoming too heavy to bear.

I try to put on a brave face and act as if everything is fine, but deep down, I'm hurting.

I feel lost and alone, not knowing which way to turn.

My emotions are all over the place, and I can't seem to find a way to calm them.

I need time to heal and figure things out, but time doesn't seem to be on my side.

I hope that soon, I'll be able to find my way back to okay.

Until then, I'll keep fighting and trying to hold on.

When I hoped, I feared. Since I hoped, I dared!

These lines from Dickinson's poem encapsulate the complex emotions that often accompany our hopes and dreams.

I realized with a great sense of sadness that from now on, whenever I decide to read a famous poet for the first time, I must be free from prejudice and presumption. I had heard that Dickinson was regarded as a transcendentalist regarding the major themes in her poems. But I never checked the authenticity of this source. I probably learned it from some early articles I read about her poems somewhere.

Transcendentalism is indeed present in her poetry, but I also found commonplace innocence along with profound sapience and susceptibility for Life, Love, and Death. She has written on various subjects, filling ordinary stuff with the fragrance of her craft and sensitivity.

Her poems on nature, love, and life are extraordinarily beautiful and touching. Her sensibility in writing about hope and hunger, life and death, exploring and returning is wonderful. She has scrutinized almost everything, and her subtle observation has enlarged my common sense.

I heard that although she lived a secluded life, she was never disappointed with life. I think she might have been an extremely sensitive introvert who invaginated her sentiments from the world and then produced such beautiful and impressive rhymes and verses.

I am so pleased and joyous reading her and filling myself with her unique and exotic poetry that I promise to visit her poetic world again and again.

The soul unto itself Is an imperial friend,- Or the most agonizing spy An enemy could send

Emily Dickinson's poetry is truly a remarkable treasure. Her words have the power to touch the deepest recesses of our souls. The lines "A darting fear - a pomp - a tear -
A Waking on a morn
To find that what one waked for,
Inhales the different dawn." paint a vivid picture of the uncertainties and surprises that life can bring.

Her exploration of love in "Love's stricken 'why'
Is all that love can speak -
Built of but just a syllable
The hugest hearts that break." is both poignant and profound. It shows how a single word can hold so much meaning and cause such great pain.

Most of the poetry in this collection is religion-based, which is understandable considering the time period in which she wrote. However, her words transcend religion and speak to the human experience. I was completely captivated by her work and finished all 700 pages in one sitting. It was truly an insane feat, but such is the power of Emily Dickinson's writing.

The lines "Unable are the Loved to die
For Love is Immortality,
Nay, it is Deity-

Unable they that love - to die
For Love reforms Vitality
Into Divinity" express the idea that love is eternal and has the power to transform us. Her words continue to inspire and move readers to this day.

Come se chiedessi una comune elemosina,

And in my astonished hand,

A stranger should close a realm,

And I should remain stunned –

As if I were to ask the east

If it had a morning for me –

And it were to raise its purple digits

And submerge me in dawn!

***

After the great pain, a sense of duty comes -

The nerves sit ceremoniously, like tombs -

The rigid heart wonders if it was he who suffered,

And was it yesterday, or how many centuries ago?

The feet, mechanical, walk around -

On earth, or air, or something else -

A wooden path -

Having become indifferent,

A quartz satisfaction, like a stone -

This is the leaden hour -

Remembered, if one survives,

Like a frozen one remembers the snow -

First the cold - then the stupor - then the letting go –

***

The revolution is the staff

From which the systems roll

When the winds of will rise –

The flower is excellent

But only if its rusty base

Every summer becomes

The self-burier of itself –

So is freedom –

Left inactive on the stalk

Every one of its purples faded –

The revolution shakes it

To verify if it is dead.

***

The life that is too tightly bound flees

Afterwards it will always run

With a prudent look back

And specters of the reins –

The horse that sniffs the fresh grass

And sees the pastures smile

Will be taken back with a shot

If ever it will be –

This poem explores various profound themes. The first part describes a sense of wonder and astonishment, as if something unexpected and magnificent were to occur. The second part delves into the aftermath of great pain, with a sense of numbness and a questioning of the past. The third part presents the revolution as a force that shakes the systems and tests the vitality of freedom. The final part speaks of a life that escapes from its constraints but still looks back with caution. Overall, the poem offers a complex and thought-provoking exploration of human experiences and emotions.

A brilliant and one-of-a-kind poet!

This poet's works are like precious gems that sparkle with unique charm.

The words they pen flow like a gentle river, carrying emotions and ideas that touch the hearts of readers.

Each poem is a masterpiece, carefully crafted with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the human condition.

The poet's use of language is both vivid and powerful, painting pictures in the minds of the audience that linger long after the words have been read.

Whether it's a love poem, a meditation on nature, or a social commentary, this poet's work always manages to capture the essence of the subject matter with grace and elegance.

In a world full of mediocrity, this brilliant poet stands out as a shining example of true artistic talent.

Their work is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, move, and transform.

We are truly fortunate to have such a one-of-a-kind poet in our midst.

All is here!

Or, at least it seems that all poems are present. Emily's works are truly groundbreaking. They are filled with heartfelt emotions that can surprise, sadden, and bring joy. They are astonishing and contain all those wonderful feelings that we seek in great poetry.

My favourite form is free verse, and it's highly likely that it would've remained undiscovered without Emily Dickinson. The book I have is thick and huge. I haven't finished this massive volume yet, but I'm taking my time and really enjoying the ride. THIS is indeed the most monumental edition. It's like a treasure trove of literary gems waiting to be explored. Each poem is a unique journey, taking the reader through a wide range of emotions and experiences. I can't wait to see what else this amazing collection has in store for me.

I've been reading these works for years. There have always been a few that took me by surprise.

Lately, however, I find this whole collection to be a truly astonishing experiment in language. It's taken me years to realize how modern she is. (For you Dickinson fans, I'm sure you're thinking, "Well, DUH!") I say this because her work really is a kind of minimalism. She seems to have more patience than most poets. She waits until the perfect combination of sounds and meanings emerges in just the right crystalline form, and then she stops.

If you are also patient, you begin to see how perfectly each one is shaped, conceived, and delivered. I also applaud her for never using titles; the poems are all numbered.

****************

Summer (August) of 2012 -

I'm finally getting around to setting some of these wonderful poems to music. I'm writing for string orchestra, piano, and mixed choir.

I've chosen the following poems to set: #254, #446, #447, #1444, #1448, #1676, #1659, #1654, #1655.

And so far, I have composed music for #254, #446, #447, #1448. Ideally, I would like to have seven to set in a suite.

*************************

I forgot to update this - I set the 9 poems, and it was performed last December. I'm finally getting a recording of the work to check out - looking forward to seeing it (it was videotaped). I was so busy conducting the work that I hardly had time to experience it with any clarity.

\\n  \\n    Book Review\\n  \\n

I have a profound love for Emily Dickinson's poetry. Recently, I visited a museum exhibit dedicated to her, and it reignited my passion for one of her poems, which I will now dissect in detail.
Critics of Emily Dickinson's poem number 328, commonly titled “A Bird Came Down the Walk,” hold various interpretations. Many believe it to be a “conventional symbolic account of Christian encounter within the world of nature…” (Budick 218). However, I dissent from this view. I firmly believe that “A Bird Came Down the Walk” explores mankind's inherent fear of those who are larger or smaller than themselves. Additionally, the poem elucidates man's response to this fear. The bird in poem number 328, in fact, symbolizes all of humanity. When faced with fear, the bird takes flight. Similarly, when confronted with our fears, we humans often choose to flee rather than stand our ground and face them head-on.
The first stanza描绘了一只鸟日常的行为：“A Bird came down the walk / He did not know I saw / He bit an Angleworm in halves / And ate the fellow raw.”然而，这一节蕴含着更深层次的意义。Jonnie G. Guerra指出，“说话者选择的动词似乎表达了将鸟拟人化的愿望” (Guerra 29)。通过赋予鸟人类的特质，叙述者引导读者将鸟的行为与人类的行为进行比较。实际上，这里的人就是在吃午餐或晚餐的人类。由于鸟不知道读者在观察它吃虫子，所以它能平静地进行日常活动。在这一点上，人类与鸟是相同的。我们遵循着吃饭、喝水、睡觉、购物和工作的日常规律；然而，我们很少意识到可能有人在注视着我们的一举一动。一整天，父母注视着孩子以确保他们的安全，老师监督学生的学习进度以帮助他们取得好成绩，老板密切关注员工以查看他们是否在做被雇佣来做的工作。总是有一双眼睛在审视着我们的每一个动作，就像叙述者审视鸟的行为一样。通过这只没有意识到有人在观察它的鸟，叙述者表明没有人是完全孤独的。鸟可能处于危险之中，它感觉好像有人或某物正在接近它。
The second stanza延续了对鸟的拟人化描写：“And then he drank a Dew / From a convenient Grass / And then hopped sideways to the Wall / To let a Beetle pass.”在这一节中，当鸟喝露水时，读者看到了它与人类的相似之处，因为“grass”暗示了对“glass”的双关 (Guerra 29)。然而，这一节也设置了一个展示人类善良的情境。Charles R. Metzger“俏皮地暗示了鸟让‘甲虫通过’时那种充满幻想的拟人化的优雅举止” (Metzger 22)。在这里，叙述者表明鸟足够善良，会为比它小的甲虫让路。继续将鸟视为人类的理论，读者可以看到我们人类常常试图为他人提供便利。当他人无法独立完成某事时，我们常常会不遗余力地为他们提供方便。当我们阻碍了他人的目标时，我们会尽可能地让开。凭借其类似人类的品质，鸟遵循了“黄金法则”，就像人类一样。由于我们在这个世界上永远不会孤单，我们必须努力结交朋友。也许，鸟是在试图与甲虫交朋友。虽然不太可能，但鸟通过为甲虫让路表现出了友好。然而，当陌生人/叙述者向它靠近时，鸟的友好并不能使它保持平静。
As a result, the third stanza展现了鸟的镇定发生了变化：“He glanced with rapid eyes / That hurried all around / They looked like frightened Beads, I thought / He stirred his Velvet Head.”当鸟侧身时，它意识到叙述者在注视着它。它根本不是独自一人。恐惧开始渗入鸟的血液，使它寻找最近的逃生路线。鸟不确定叙述者的意图，叙述者可能是来造成伤害的，也可能是来表达善意的，就像鸟对甲虫所做的那样。民间智慧一直认为眼睛是心灵的窗户。当鸟的眼睛四处张望时，恐惧显而易见；只有在极度恐惧的情况下，鸟的眼睛才会变得像珠子一样小而发亮 (Andersen 119)。在诗的这个时候，叙述者在身体上靠近了鸟。当鸟害怕靠近它的人时，我们人类也害怕最亲近我们的人。最了解我们、最亲近我们的人最有能力伤害我们。我们有时如此没有意识到别人的眼睛在注视着我们，以至于我们很容易成为受害者。我们可能会在一定程度上迁就他人，但我们绝不应该迁就到失去焦点和方向的地步。我们需要与他人保持距离，以便在生活中保持一定的秩序。恐惧不能控制我们。当它控制我们时，我们必须以某种方式摆脱它，就像鸟所做的那样。
The fourth stanza of the poem展示了鸟对叙述者靠近的反应：“Like one in danger, cautious, / I offered him a Crumb / And he unrolled his feathers / And rowed him softer home.”现在，叙述者靠近鸟并主动喂它，但鸟受到了惊吓并飞走了。与叙述者相比，鸟非常小。叙述者的体型是吓跑鸟的原因。Charles R. Anderson指出，Dickinson“将整个花园世界缩小到鸟的大小。[叙述者]被留在上面和外面，没有像《爱丽丝梦游仙境》中的魔法灵药那样将她缩小到可以交流的水平” (Anderson 118)。Jerome Loving也表示同意，他指出“如果有任何危险的暗示，那就是当人类叙述者给鸟一块面包屑时。事实是，大自然是一个美好的地方，一个田园诗般的场景，直到人类带着他过去和未来的全部重量跌跌撞撞地走上舞台” (Loving 56)。当我们面对比我们更大的人时，我们人类有着与鸟相同的本能恐惧。如果有人在公司的等级制度中比我们高，我们总是担心他或她会解雇我们。学生害怕老师让他们不及格，就像鸟觉得人类会伤害它一样。孩子们有时也害怕父母惩罚他们。无论我们转向哪里，都有比我们更强或更重要的人。我们总是觉得别人会做一些伤害我们的事情；因此，我们需要像鸟一样通过逃跑来逃避这种恐惧。换一种方式看，鸟也可能害怕整个世界。即使甲虫比鸟小，鸟可能仍然害怕。众所周知，大象常常害怕比它们小几百倍的老鼠。也许鸟的神经处于紧张状态，它害怕任何轻微、突然移动的东西。甲虫也可能造成伤害。人类常常害怕蜘蛛和蜜蜂，它们与人类相比非常小。然而，当面对他所害怕的情况时，鸟就像人类一样逃跑了。
The fifth stanza展示了鸟轻柔而迅速地飞走：“Than Oars divide the Ocean / Too silver for a seam / Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon / Leap, plashless as they swim.”鸟知道它处于危险之中，必须尽快离开。此外，鸟想悄悄地离开，希望叙述者没有意识到它正在离开。我们人类也试图迅速而安静地离开。我们知道当我们被打败时，我们试图夹着尾巴离开。我们感到羞愧和不安，因为有人伤害了我们或试图伤害我们，所以我们逃跑了。逃跑或飞走可能不是处理这种情况的最佳方式，但这是我们所知道的唯一方法。人类习惯于逃避一种情况而不是面对它。因此，代表人类的鸟也会逃跑。
According to Anderson, “The dangers as well as the beauty represented by nature at large… are here concentrated in a single bird that exhibits a complex mix of qualities: ferocity, fastidiousness, courtesy, fear, and grace” (Anderson 221). The bird in Emily Dickinson's poem “A Bird Came Down the Walk” can be representative of humans, since humans possess qualities such as fear, courtesy, and grace in their personality. Dickinson's poem comments on man's innate fear of others. We humans are always being watched, and when we realize how close someone is to us, we need to run for fear that (s)he will hurt us. Our fleeing is done with grace and courtesy. It is a reaction that all humans have at one point or another. Dickinson's poem shows the readers this fear and the results of the fear on mankind.



\\n  \\n    About Me\\n  \\n

For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.

This remarkable book showcases a truly fabulous collection of works by the renowned Emily Dickinson.

Admittedly, not every single piece within it managed to capture my complete and unwavering enjoyment, which is precisely why I awarded it four stars.

However, the vast majority of the poems were exquisitely written, with a beauty that was both enchanting and captivating.

Moreover, they were also rather thought provoking, having the power to make one stop and reflect deeply on the profound themes and emotions they conveyed.

Take, for example, the following poem:

"He fumbles at your spirit
As players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,
Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow
Your breath has time to straighten.
Your brain to bubble cool,-
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul"

This poem is a prime example of Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery to create a powerful and evocative piece of art.

It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and awe, and a desire to explore more of her works.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for any lover of poetry or anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human spirit.

The doubt of not being oneself

is a comfort to the wavering mind

in extreme anguish,

until one finds a secure ground.

One is granted a sense of unreality,

a pitiful mirage,

which makes existence possible

while interrupting life.

This state of uncertainty can be both a source of turmoil and a strange kind of solace.

The mind, in its wavering, grasps at this doubt as if it were a lifeline.

The extreme anguish that plagues one is temporarily alleviated by the thought that perhaps one is not truly oneself.

The sense of unreality, like a pitiful mirage, seems to offer a way out of the harsh reality of life.

It makes existence seem more bearable, even as it interrupts the flow of normal life.

But this is only a temporary respite, and eventually, one must face the truth and find a more solid foundation upon which to build one's life.

This is an extremely vast collection of poetry.

It is likely not intended to be read continuously from start to finish, yet that is precisely what I chose to do.

Certainly, there were some poems that I neither liked nor could fully understand. However, there were numerous others that I found to be truly beautiful and that seemed to align perfectly with my own emotions.

I believe this is the case for most poets and their readers.

After completing the reading, I was left in a state of wonderment regarding this strange and reclusive woman.

She had only seen a small number of her poems published during her lifetime.

She had no inkling that she would achieve success, that her poems would be adored by millions of people, or that she would come to be regarded as one of the greatest American poets.

It is truly remarkable to think about how her work has had such a profound impact long after her passing.

God, she was so misunderstood. People always seemed to misinterpret her actions and words. They judged her without truly knowing her. She tried to explain herself, but it was as if they didn't want to listen. Her heart ached with the pain of being constantly misjudged. She would often find herself alone, crying silently, wondering why no one could see the real her. She was a complex person with deep emotions and a kind heart, but it seemed that the world was too quick to label her. Despite the misunderstandings, she refused to give up. She continued to be true to herself, hoping that one day, someone would take the time to understand her and see the beauty that lay within.