Emily Dickinson was one of the most famous American poets, having written 1,775 poems in her lifetime. But did you know that her first book of poetry was only published under her name four years after her death? She only had a dozen or so poems published while she was alive, and most of them were done so anonymously. 

Thanks to the posthumous publication of her other works, her name has since become a byword for whimsical couplets, with her verses even printed on lots of Etsy products designed for book lovers. 

What Kind of Poems Did Emily Dickinson Write?

Dickinson’s work focused mostly on free expression, moving past conventional restraints, and using first person speakers that have sharp observational skills. Her poems highlight the limitations of society and imagine an escape, a reality that may be out of reach but which she inspires people to hope for. 

Although her peers and teachers considered her hopeless for salvation because of her apparent rebellion against religion, she routinely wrestled with questions of spirituality in her poems. Many of these deal with transcendental themes, like faith, doubt, immortality, and death. In fact, her works also show a deep knowledge of the Bible. 

8 of the Best Emily Dickinson Poems to Start With

If you are not yet familiar with Emily Dickinson, here are some experts from the best poems to start with: 

1. “Hope” is the thing with feathers

In this excerpt from “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers”, Dickinson shows her expertise in painting a picture with her words. 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops – at all

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm

Read the full poem here.

2. Success is counted sweetest

In this poem, Dickinson shows her prowess as the “poet of paradox,” a title coined by modern-day writer Joyce Carol Oates.

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory

Read the full poem here.

3. I felt a Funeral, in my Brain 

In this poem, Dickinson shows two of her mainstays: imagery revolving around death and a deep look at psychological turmoil. See if you can find these elements in the excerpt below: 

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,
And Mourners to and fro
Kept treading – treading – till it seemed
That Sense was breaking through –

And when they all were seated,
A Service, like a Drum –
Kept beating – beating – till I thought
My mind was going numb –

And then I heard them lift a Box
And creak across my Soul
With those same Boots of Lead, again,
Then Space – began to toll,

Read the full poem here.

4. This is my letter to the World 

In this poem, Dickinson shows her paradox as a person, working relentlessly on her writing, but needing to be persuaded to publish any of her works. 

This is my letter to the World
That never wrote to Me
The simple News that Nature told
With tender Majesty

Her Message is committed
To Hands I cannot see
For love of Her—Sweet—countrymen
Judge tenderly—of Me

Read the full poem here.

5. I dwell in Possibility 

In this poem, Dickinson uses the imagery of houses, windows, and doors to show the limitless quality of imagination.

I dwell in Possibility
A fairer House than Prose
More numerous of Windows
Superior – for Doors

Of Chambers as the Cedars
Impregnable of eye
And for an everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky

Read the full poem here.

6. Wild Nights—Wild Nights 

Although many of Dickinson’s poems were short, at about three stanzas, they are still powerful. An example is this poem, which gives us a picture of a loner in love, an excerpt of which is copied here: 

Wild nights – Wild nights!
Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile – the winds –
To a Heart in port
Done with the Compass –
Done with the Chart!

Read the full poem here.

7. It was not Death, for I stood up 

In this poem, Dickinson shows her fondness of strategic capitalization, as you can see from the excerpt below: 

It was not Death, for I stood up,
And all the Dead, lie down
It was not Night, for all the Bells
Put out their Tongues, for Noon.

It was not Frost, for on my Flesh
I felt Siroccos – crawl –
Nor Fire – for just my marble feet
Could keep a Chancel, cool –

And yet, it tasted, like them all,
The Figures I have seen
Set orderly, for Burial
Reminded me, of mine –

As if my life were shaven,
And fitted to a frame,
And could not breathe without a key,
And ’twas like Midnight, some

Read the full poem here.

8. I heard a Fly buzz—when I died 

This poem deals with one of Dickinson’s favorite themes, death, with the speaker itself being a corpse!

I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room –

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly

Read the full poem here.

Get to Know Emily Dickinson

The middle child in a well-to-do family in Massachusetts, Dickinson impressed her teachers with her vivid imagination. Since childhood, she was known for her original thoughts, a quality that she clearly retained into her adult writing. 

Dickinson was known for reading voraciously, including Scripture, Shakespeare, and other poets. Despite this, though, her work is noted for its originality. 

Reading Poems by Emily Dickinson 

As you read Emily Dickinson’s poems, you will likely notice several common elements, such as the length, meter, and style, and even the fact that she normally hasn’t assigned titles to her poems! 

You will also notice some of her favorite themes, making her a good choice for poems when you want to think about the important things in life. 

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