A Poet On Joy

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inEmily Dickinson, JoyTags:,

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”

Emily Dickinson

 Candlelight

Emily Elizabeth Dickenson lived a quiet, even reclusive life.  She was introverted and thought to be eccentric by those in her local community.  Yet, her soul was ignited by poetry. She wrote in private, penning nearly eighteen hundred poems, without the need for acclaim or approbation. Less than a dozen of her poems were published during her lifetime; even those were notably altered.  Emily Dickenson’s poetry collection was discovered upon her death in 1886 by her younger sister, Lavinia. In 1890, her first collection of poetry, heavily edited, was published.  It was not until 1955 that an unaltered version was published and the world finally met the real Emily Dickenson. Today, she is considered to be a major American poet.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson

The poet has spoken: Joy is found in the act of living.

 

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

20 thoughts on “A Poet On Joy”

  1. Yes, it is. And thank you for choosing that particular poem. I had forgotten it. (How is that possible!) It goes straight to the heart. Now I am off to help one little dog experience the joy of being alive on an evening walk.

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    1. Merry Christmas – all the very best of the season to you and yours and all those wonderful animals that love to visit the holler!!! I remember the first time I “met” Emily…I was overcome by the gentleness of her words. There was no threats, or tantrums, just a kindness.

      “Because I could not stop for Death –
      He kindly stopped for me –
      The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
      And Immortality.”

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  6. Isn’t it amazingand sad how so often these wonderful artists are not appreciated and cannot be coped with in their own lifetimes. We are fortunate though to have the benefit of their talents and creativity. What a lovely week of posts bringing joy to us all, as indeed you have done all year – thank you so very much.

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    1. Thank you so much for all of your visits, your comments and your enthusiasm for artistic endeavors. Merry Christmas – all the very, very best to you and yours. I’m so glad that we are heading into 2013, together…

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