Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 97 votes)
5 stars
23(24%)
4 stars
33(34%)
3 stars
41(42%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
97 reviews
July 15,2025
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**3.5**

Ithaki yayınları edisyonu için yorum: I had previously read the print of İş Bankası yayınları and really liked the selection of poems. When I saw that it was also published by Ithaki, I decided to buy and read it because it contained poems I hadn't read before. I think the selection of poems in İş Bankası yayınları was more successful, but I still enjoyed reading this one. Since I gave 3 points to the Ithaki print and 4 points to the İş Bankası print, my average score is 3.5 :).

I really like that İş Bankası yayınları includes the original English poems in their poetry translations. As someone who is interested in translation, it is very pleasing to see how someone else interprets the lines that I have clumsily translated in my mind in a much more professional and literary way. Also, in my opinion, translation is equivalent to rewriting a book, especially for poems. I think that translating lines written in another language into a second language without losing their rhythm and meaning is almost as difficult as creating the poem itself. Therefore, reading the original poems next to the translation is very enjoyable for me, and I feel like I am looking at the perspectives of two different artists.

Dickinson was someone I had wanted to read for a long time, and I am very happy that I finally fulfilled this desire. It is amazing that she could spend almost her entire life in a room like a nun and use words with such a vivid color. Although I couldn't understand all of her images (unfortunately I am not that capable
July 15,2025
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1696
[There is a Solitude of Space]

In 1696, a profound thought emerged.

There is a solitude of space, a vast expanse that stands alone. And the sea too has its own solitude.

Even death has its solitude. These are like enclosures.

They are steeped in that deep mystery, the hiddenness of the polar regions.

There is a spirit within that is alone, perhaps lost in the vastness, perhaps seeking something more.

This idea of solitude in different aspects of life and nature is both captivating and thought-provoking.

It makes us wonder about the true nature of our existence and the spaces, both physical and emotional, that we inhabit.

Does this solitude bring a sense of peace or does it weigh heavy on our souls?

These are questions that have lingered throughout the ages, and this piece from 1696 seems to touch upon them in a profound and mysterious way.
July 15,2025
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Just so incredible. Here is a list of my favorite poems that I can always reference.

There's been a death in the opposite house. It creates a solemn and mysterious atmosphere.

I like to see it lap the miles. The description is so vivid and imaginative.

If you were coming in the fall. It expresses a longing and anticipation.

At least to pray is left. It shows a glimmer of hope in difficult times.

In the winter, in my room. It depicts a cozy and introspective scene.

Publication is the auction. It makes one think about the value and nature of sharing one's work.

I'll tell you how the sun rose. It offers a beautiful and detailed account of a natural phenomenon.

I cannot dance upon my toes. It reveals a certain vulnerability or limitation.

To make a prairie. It implies the power of creation and imagination.

The spider is an artist. It gives a unique perspective on the world around us.

Forever is composed of nows. It reminds us to cherish the present moment.

The wind begun to rock the grass. This one is my absolute favorite. The imagery is so enchanting and it seems to bring the scene to life.
July 15,2025
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A light exists in spring
That is not present during any other time of the year.
When March has just barely arrived,
A unique color spreads across
The solitary hills.
Science cannot fully understand or capture it,
But human nature instinctively feels its presence.


It waits upon the lawn;
It reveals the furthest tree
On the furthest slope that we are aware of;
It almost seems to speak to us.


Then, as the horizons shift or the noons pass away,
Without making a sound,
It disappears, and we are left behind:
A sense of loss
That affects our contentment,
As if trade had suddenly intruded
Upon a sacred rite.

July 15,2025
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One of the most well-known details of Emily Dickinson's life is that she was a recluse by deliberate choice.

She firmly believed that her withdrawal from the hustle and bustle of life enabled her to apprehend life more fully, free from distractions.

During her lifetime, a mere seven of her poems were published. However, in 1886, after her passing, hundreds of poems were discovered in her desk.

She wrote about love, life, nature, time, death, and eternity in a highly idiosyncratic manner. Her mentor, Higginson, often complained about the technical "irregularities" in her poetry. When editing the poems, he made several changes. He "fixed up" the punctuation and metre irregularities and even added titles to some of the poems.

I cringe at the thought of this. Dickinson withdrew from the world to gain intellectual freedom, and her chosen poetic form was a deliberate revolt to escape the prison of the conventions of poetry and the oppressive sanity of the world.

Emily Dickinson's poems truly deserve five stars. I gave four stars to this edition because it is the Higginson "normalised" version. If you wish to read Dickinson, do yourself a favour and buy an edition that retains the idiosyncrasies of punctuation, grammar, and capitalisation. Not the Wordsworth Poetry Library.

This way, you can experience the true essence of Dickinson's unique and revolutionary poetry.
July 15,2025
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WOW! It's truly amazing. Even though I did not understand some poems, it doesn't matter. Poems are like mysterious treasures that sometimes require time and a deeper understanding to unlock their beauty and meaning. /


Hopefully in a few years, with more reading, more thinking, and more life experiences, I’ll be able to fully appreciate and understand those poems that currently elude me. I'm looking forward to that day when I can uncover the hidden gems within each poem and be moved by their profound messages. /


Hehe, the journey of exploring poetry is full of excitement and anticipation. I believe that as I continue to learn and grow, my understanding of poetry will also deepen, and I'll be able to enjoy this wonderful art form to the fullest. /

July 15,2025
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The poem "I Died for Beauty" by Emily Dickinson presents a profound and thought-provoking scenario. The speaker claims to have died for beauty and is scarcely adjusted in the tomb when another who died for truth is laid in an adjoining room. The one who died for truth softly questions the speaker as to why she failed. The speaker replies that it was for beauty. Then, the other declares that he died for truth and that the two, beauty and truth, are one and that they are brethren. So, like kinsmen meeting at night, they talk between the rooms. However, as time passes, the moss reaches their lips and covers up their names. This poem seems to suggest that in the afterlife, the distinctions between the reasons for which we live and die may fade away, and what remains is a sense of unity and connection. It also implies that the passage of time can erase our identities and the marks we leave on this world.

I died for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed?
"For beauty," I replied.
"And I for truth,--the two are one;
We brethren are," he said.

And so, as kinsmen met a night,
We talked between the rooms.
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names.
July 15,2025
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Read over winter break!

Some of the highlights included "The Goal", which presented an interesting concept.

"The Chariot" was another captivating piece that took the reader on a unique journey.

"Two Voyagers" added an element of adventure and exploration.

And it all ended with the book, which left a lasting impression.

First, Dickinson's works were explored.

Now, the question remains: is poetry in or out for 2025?

Comment below and share your thoughts.

Let's have a lively discussion about the future of poetry.

Will it continue to thrive and evolve, or will it take a backseat to other forms of literature?

Only time will tell, but for now, let's enjoy the wonderful world of poetry that we have.

July 15,2025
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I dropped out of university in my second year. Well, actually, I stayed for the year. It gets complicated.

In my first year, as I transferred to a different major, I was writing a paper on Emily Dickinson before a strike occurred. I wasn't really keen on her writing, which was first introduced to me in grade 13. Her personal life seems to overshadow her literary works. I have a hunch that she was hiding something.

Maybe it was the mysteries in her life that made her writing so unique. Or perhaps it was the fact that she lived a secluded life that gave her the inspiration to pen such profound poems. Whatever the reason, I found myself drawn to her despite my initial lack of enthusiasm.

As I delved deeper into her works, I began to appreciate the beauty and complexity of her writing. I realized that there was more to Emily Dickinson than meets the eye. Her poems were not just about nature and love; they were also about life, death, and the human condition.

Although I dropped out of university, my interest in Emily Dickinson has never waned. I continue to read her poems and explore her life, hoping to uncover the secrets that she so carefully guarded.
July 15,2025
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This is indeed a good selection of poems. However, it has a significant drawback.

Dickinson's unique and unusual punctuation, which is an important part of her poetic style, has been smoothed out.

Most of her characteristic dashes, which add a certain rhythm and emphasis to her poems, have been removed.

This alteration not only affects the original form of the poems but also may change the readers' perception and understanding of Dickinson's works.

It is a pity that such an important aspect of her poetry has been overlooked or modified in this selection.

Perhaps the editors had their own reasons for making these changes, but from the perspective of maintaining the integrity and authenticity of Dickinson's poetry, it would be better to preserve her original punctuation as much as possible.

In this way, readers can have a more accurate and profound experience of Dickinson's poetic charm.
July 15,2025
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I have just embarked on my first encounter with the works of Emily Dickinson, and I must say that I have been completely captivated by her unique writing style.

Her poems are like precious gems, each one shining with a distinct light. Take, for example, the lines "I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there's a pair of us! Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!" Here, she presents a refreshing perspective on anonymity and the longing for a kindred spirit.

Another poem that strikes a chord is "HEAVEN Is what I cannot reach! The apple on the tree, Provided it do hopeless hang, That \\"heaven\\" is, to me." Dickinson's use of vivid imagery makes the concept of heaven seem both tangible and elusive.

Her words have a way of cutting through the clutter and touching the deepest parts of our souls. I am truly excited to explore more of her poetry and discover the hidden treasures that lie within.

It is my first time reading for Emily Dickinson, and I can say that I fell in love with the way she writes.
July 15,2025
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For a non-native English speaker, understanding English literature can often be a challenging task. The language, with its complex grammar and idiomatic expressions, may seem like a maze. However, there are certain aspects of English literature that can still be deeply appreciated and loved. One such area is nature poems.



Nature poems have a unique charm. They paint vivid pictures of the natural world, allowing readers to experience the beauty and wonder of nature through the words of the poet. Whether it's the majesty of a mountain range, the tranquility of a forest, or the beauty of a sunset, nature poems can capture these moments and bring them to life on the page.



Even though a non-native English speaker may not fully understand every word or phrase in a nature poem, they can still sense the emotions and feelings that the poet is trying to convey. The power of nature is universal, and these poems can touch the hearts of people from all over the world.

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