I’m a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, but my first love has always been poetry. Ever since I can remember, I’ve scribbled lines and verses on any scrap of paper available. For all the poets out there–you know what I mean. The words come out of the blue and you frantically search for something to write on, knowing if you don’t get them down right away, they’ll disappear.
There are days when I wake and find myself unable to concentrate on anything other than poetry. I feel a great need to read the words of my favorite poets or my own. This morning, I thumbed through some of my most treasured volumes and as happens more often than not, Emily Dickinson was the one I chose to read.
I’m putting two of my favorites here for you to enjoy. The first one, “I’m Nobody! Who Are You?” is my all time favorite poem. I can so relate to the sarcasm and depth of emotion expressed here. I also love the subtle touch of humor.
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!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!
…….Emily Dickinson
I feel this next poem, “Fame Is A Fickle Food”, goes beautifully with the first.
Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a
Guest but not
The second time is set.
Whose crumbs the crows inspect
And with ironic caw
Flap past it to the Farmer’s Corn –
Men eat of it and die.
……Emily Dickinson
Elizabeth Melton Parsons 