The world of poetry has seen many timeless works of art, but few are as iconic as the works of Emily Dickinson. Known for her unique, emotive style and consistently impressive output, Dickinson’s incredible body of work has been admired for over a century.
Despite not receiving acclaim for her work during her lifetime, the sheer volume of it speaks for itself. Emily Dickinson wrote almost 1800 poems between her early teenage years and her death in 1886, and despite the limited audience of her works during her lifetime, the influence of her work is still seen today.
One of Emily Dickinson’s poems particularly worth noting is ‘I heard a Fly buzz – when I died’ which shows the deep reflection of her writing. This particular poem explores death, and does so in an incredibly moving and introspective manner.
The poem tells the story of a person’s death, but it is the descriptive recount of the events that make it so striking. The narrator begins by recalling the presence of those around them, and then describes the death itself. They then note that the fly is the only sound they hear, rather than any verbal reaction from those present.
The poem reflects Dickinson’s personal experiences with death and her ability to portray her views in a unique and emotive approach. Her detailed writing style reaches a brilliant climax in the poem with the symbolic portrayal of the fly being the only sound: ‘The stillness round the defeat / Was the deepest I’d ever felt’. This deeply thoughtful conclusion really captures the atmosphere of the poem and forces the reader to consider the fragility of life.
Emily Dickinson’s poetry speaks volumes in a relatively limited amount of words. Her favorite themes revolved around death, memories and emotions. The depth of her work is especially evident in her most popular poems such as ‘Because I could not stop for death’ and ‘It was not death, for I stood up’ which showcase a truly remarkable talent and skill in conveying her internal thoughts and feelings through her words.
The immense value of Emily Dickinson’s poems can be seen in their long lasting impact and influence. Here, we can find an artist who, despite little acknowledgment for her work during her lifetime, still managed to produce some of the most memorable and inspiring pieces of work ever written. Emily Dickinson’s approach was unique and her skill is undeniable. Her works are a must-read for any poetry enthusiast, and for anyone interested in the human experience, in general.
