Visiting Miss Dickinson

 

Hello Friends,

Marcie Flinchum Atkins is hosting our round-up this weekend. Hooray! I have a clunker line from her: sinking hearts while the country seems fated

My triolet response:

Might I Recommend…

Stargazing to those of sinking heart A spirit lifting reconnection as the country seems ill fated Stargazing to those of sinking heart Nature’s soothing conversation             by fits and starts Stargazing for those of sinking heart A spirit lifting reconnection

Linda Mitchell 7/25/25

   

   Now for today's poetry post. One joy of having grown children is that I can travel without worry of leaving any little ones behind.

   On a recent trip to New England, my husband I made a stop in Amherst, MA so that I could visit the Emily Dickinson Museum. It was wonderful. If you ever have a chance to go, do it. I spent just over two hours there on my own and loved it.

   The knowledgable docent that led my tour through Dickinson's Homestead provided a solid presentation of facts while illustrating how it felt to live in the home with snippet's of Dickinson's writing. I'll try to give you a taste. 

Outside Emily Dickinson's homestead. Linda Mitchell June 25

There's a certain Slant of light, (320)

When it comes, the Landscape listens –

Shadows – hold their breath –

When it goes, 'tis like the Distance

On the look of Death –

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45723/theres-a-certain-slant-of-light-320

 

 

Titles of many hundreds of books in Dickinson's home. Linda Mitchell

In Miss Dickinson's room at her writing desk and a replica of one of her dresses

Textiles of Ms. Dickinson's homestead

The story of how Miss Dickinson's homestead was preserved as a museum is fascinating. It's a bit tangled. But, if I have it correct, upon her death, Miss Dickinson's sister, Vinnie, sought help  publishing Emily's poems from sister-in-law,Susanna (a next door neighbor and possible paramour) connections. However, it was a huge body of work and there was quite a bit of effort in getting the manuscripts ready. When it publication moved at too slow a pace for Vinnie, she turned to brother, Austin's mistress, Mabel Todd. 

   Once it was evident that the manuscripts discovered were significant, everyone was hungry for a piece of Miss Emily Dickinson's efforts. Mabel did help get the work published. Susanna's daughter, Emily's niece, Martha, feared that the Dickinson homestead and neighboring house of her parents named The Evergreens would be taken over by Amherst College--leading to the creation of a trust to preserve the properties for the public. 

   Thank goodness for Martha. She saved a bit of poetry history for future generations that include all of us!