“Dear March – Come In” by Emily Dickinson

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inEmily Dickinson, LadyBudd, Poetry, Spring, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , , , ,

“Dear March – Come In” is a poem by Emily Dickinson that explores the theme of nature and its changing seasons.

Emily Dickinson structured “Dear March – Come In”, as a conversation between the narrator and March, personified as a guest being welcomed into the narrator’s home. The narrator is eager to greet March, as the arrival of this month signals the end of winter and the start of spring. 

Dear March – Come In 

Dear March—Come in—
How glad I am—
I hoped for you before—
Put down your Hat—
You must have walked—
How out of Breath you are—
Dear March, how are you, and the Rest—
Did you leave Nature well—
Oh March, Come right upstairs with me—
I have so much to tell—

I got your Letter, and the Birds—
The Maples never knew that you were coming—
I declare - how Red their Faces grew—
But March, forgive me—
And all those Hills you left for me to Hue—
There was no Purple suitable—
You took it all with you—

Who knocks? That April—
Lock the Door—
I will not be pursued—
He stayed away a Year to call
When I am occupied—
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come

That blame is just as dear as Praise
And Praise as mere as Blame—

This poem is in the public domain.

Emily Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the changes that occur during this transition from winter to spring, comparing the arrival of March to the arrival of a guest, suggesting that the changing of seasons is something to be celebrated and welcomed. Her use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for the arrival of spring, and the poem serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Emily Dickinson was known for her unconventional lifestyle of self-imposed isolation. Despite living a life of simplicity and seclusion, her poetry is powerful and thought-provoking, known for its unique style and unconventional use of language. This makes her work both interesting and engaging to read, as her use of words creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.  Her poetry is deeply personal and introspective, exploring themes of love, death, spirituality, and nature, providing insight into the human experience.

Emily Dickinson challenged traditional poetic forms and conventions.

It is not surprising that Emily Dickinson has had a significant impact on the literary world, inspiring countless poets and writers over the years. Her work has been praised for its originality, depth, and beauty, and her influence can be seen in the work of many modern poets.

Until next we meet, safe travels wherever your poetic journeys lead you.

Published by Rebecca Budd

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

48 thoughts on ““Dear March – Come In” by Emily Dickinson”

  2. What a wonderful Emily Dickinson poem! Thank you Rebecca, for this beautiful March reminder, thus so before time runs this month out to memory. Seemingly ever so much sooner each passing year.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I know exactly what you mean, Jean-Jacques – “seemingly ever so much sooner each passing year.” I am excited to report that I received your new poetry collection: “Poetry in Brief – painting a mind -“ . Marianne’s artistic touch adds so much to the reading experience.

      “Today – again its seems –

      Today I’m alive
      thus, be a gift,
      Ye gods provide
      I’m able to stay,
      Be not a dream
      Tho on this day,
      Again, it seems
      I am alive today!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey Rebecca, I can but recall, again or seems, l’ve seen that thought before. The fact the it is worth repeating kind of brings face to face with reality.
        Happy 😊 days Rebecca!
        JJ

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes!!!! I agree, Shey. The more I read about Emily Dickinson, the more I realize how truly extraordinary she was. Can you imagine writing poetry and not requiring any external validation? It was enough to create poetry. There is a life lesson here!!!

      Liked by 3 people

  5. Rebecca, a wonderful poem beautifully read. The conversational approach is special as we are all tired of winter and here is spring, and hope, knocking on our doors. “Make it be Spring with everything”, Chuang Tzu. 💓🙋‍♂️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for much for your lovely comments, Ashley. This was a fun poem to recite. During a practice session, I stood at my front door and pretended to hear a knock before opening the door to welcome March as a guest. I LOVE your quote and have placed it on my computer screen. “Make it be Spring with everything.” I

      Liked by 1 person

  6. A perfect poem to welcome spring, Rebecca! Love the flowing water and the flowing words in your video. 🙂 Plus your paragraphs about the poet — the brilliant and influential Emily Dickinson.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you, Dave – you always give a lift to my day with your encouraging comments. I am very interested in how Emily Dickinson’s poems came to be published. It seems that Mabel Loomis Todd had a complicated connection with the Dickinson family, but she was the one who worked on bringing the poetry to the world.
      https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/mabel-loomis-todd-1856-1932-correspondent/

      There is always a story behind a story. Everyone has a different perspective, which makes the story even more fascinating.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. It has been very rainy on our side of the world this winter. The snowstorm gave us a few snow days but rain quickly cleared the way. Some joke that Vancouver’s snow removal strategy is “rain.” Thank you for joining Emily and me to welcome March.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Dear Rebecca,
    you read this poem very well 👍 We all like it and listen to you several times.
    Today it’s hardly understandable that ED was avantgarde in her time.
    🤗 🤗 🤗 🤗
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. How very well said, Klausbernd – I agree! It is very difficult to understand that ED was avantgarde during her time. Why is it that we recognize brilliance, too late?

      Perhaps we reject new ideas because they challenge our existing beliefs and require us to change our ways of thinking. We may fear the unknown and the potential risks that come with implementing a new idea. When I encounter something that I don’t fully understand or appreciate, I am learning, and continue to learn, to pause, and considering why I am skeptical or unwilling to consider something new, original, outside my comfort zone.

      Thank you for joining Emily and me to welcome March! I enjoy our conversations. Sending much love and many hugs to my dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Dear Rebecca
        we have the feeling that to understand makes the mind sleepy, doesn’t it?
        We don’t know much about the history of poetry. We hardly ever read poetry, we mostly read novels.
        Sending big hugs. Take care
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Deborah for joining Emily and me to welcome March!! I find her Emily Dickinson’s life fascinating and want to look more deeply into her biography. Known for her reclusive lifestyle, she rarely left her family’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She had very few visitors. Instead, she spent much of her time writing poetry, which was not widely recognized during her lifetime. It seems that writing poetry was much more important to her than finding external validation. Did she recite the poems to herself? To her family? Did she require feedback? I continue to learn….

      Liked by 2 people

    1. This was a fun and very natural recitation, Margaret. I even did a practice recitation by opening our front door as if March was standing outside. We have had a very damp and long winter, which was unusual for us. Thank you for joining Emily and me welcoming March.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I am delighted that you joined Emily an me to welcome March. It appears that Emily has poems for every month of the year, and every season. Her connection to nature is profound and her love of words has given the world much to consider and enjoy. Thank you for your visit and heartwarming comments. Hugs!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. By Florida standards, March came in rather chilly. We have had 80+ degree afternoons in February, but now we are back to wearing sweaters. No complaints: azaleas have bloomed and we enjoy sunshine, liquid and otherwise these days, Rebecca!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, how wonderful to have the azaleas with their vibrant colours arrive. We have snowdrops and crocuses. The daffodils are ready to open. Our rain is still with us, but sunshine is pushing the clouds away ever so often. Spring has arrived and it feels good. P.S. Your February 80+ days are our summers. WOW!!!

      Liked by 3 people

  16. This beautiful poem about spring by ED and your gorgeous pictures showed me very clearly that spring brings us many changes, that I have also remarked these days in our garden, which is full of purple flowers! Many thanks, Rebecca, for your lesson:)

    Liked by 3 people

  17. Thank you for this really lovely tribute to March. Today is actually sunny, and warm enough to have my balcony door open. I enjoyed listening to the recitation of the poem, so well done. This is such a good post for the month of March.

    Liked by 4 people

  19. She was an unconventional person and a beautiful poet. I’m not sure how I feel about March this year… perhaps a bit too much February in her temperament. Or perhaps April is the culprit who is hoarding all the good weather for herself and poor March is doing the best she can. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. March has been very cold and unpredictable, hasn’t it? I am still wearing my winter scarves. Yesterday, after many days of darkened skis and rain,the sun came out and will be out for a few days. I have read that between March 21st and April 19th it is the sign of Aries the Ram, a Sun sign which is ruled by the planet and the Roman god of War, Mars. April can be even more unpredictable. LOL!!!

      Liked by 2 people

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