Emily Dickinson

Crowned poet,
posthumous Queen 
of the private world, 
you explored
every subtlety of the soul
and mapped the wonder
of existence 
to its last drawn breath.

What price did you pay
deep in your alabaster chambers,
charting the course 
of a nameless presence 
stretched across eternity, 
giving it a home 
in the exquisite vessel 
of your words.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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12
Poetry Avatar
September 12, 2026 at 7:04 AM
As many have said, she is an inspiration, my all time favorite poet. A lovely tribute. Love your work too. 👏
Willason Avatar
September 13, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Many thanks PP for visiting and for your kind words. Very much appreciated, Paul
Smith Avatar
September 25, 2023 at 11:50 PM
p.s. Dear Emily, please judge tenderly-- of us! :D Pray, let's meet in Heaven-- of Poetry we'll discuss.
Smith Avatar
September 25, 2023 at 11:46 PM
Dear Emily: you paved the way!-- for us future poets to have our say. We're blessed to have you as our queen-- here on PoetrySoup, where we convene. :)
Smith Avatar
September 25, 2023 at 11:21 PM
This is my letter to Emily:/ we often write of thee;/ of simple News your pages told—/ with tender poetry./ Our Message is committed/ to hands we cannot view—/ in appreciation, sweet poet girl! We judge tenderly—of you. :) / [Based on her poem: "This is my letter to the World-- that never wrote to me]
Scott Avatar
September 22, 2023 at 9:35 PM
Emily constantly hits the spot and she very much deserves a mention. You honour her beautifully well done Paul :)
Willason Avatar
September 24, 2023 at 4:02 AM
Thankyou Sam for reading the poem and commenting...much appreciated. Paul
Wolf Avatar
September 17, 2023 at 9:12 PM
My all-time favorite poet, Paul. Thanks for this one, and congrats on POTD! ~ Gershon
Willason Avatar
September 18, 2023 at 5:51 AM
I think Emily is high on the list of all time favourites for most of us...she managed to take in so much through that remarkable life, so geographically limited but, by the lens of her poetry, explore the nature of the eternal. Very much appreciate yr comments Gershon.
Lindley Avatar
September 17, 2023 at 5:27 PM
A very well deserved poem on one of mu favorite poets my friend. She was indeed a great poet and basically stayed withdrawn from society. I learned a lot by studying her my friend. POTD well deserved. Your poem a fav for me. God bless you.
Lindley Avatar
September 18, 2023 at 8:23 AM
To me she does not get enough admiration, as modern poetry has abandoned her for the greater part. Modern poetry definitely unfairly favors the men, imho. Dickinson was a true and a great poet. When one reads her they know that her heart was in every word of every fine verse. Several of the women poets in that era have never been given their due, imho. God bless you my friend.
Willason Avatar
September 18, 2023 at 5:33 AM
Thankyou Robert for your kind words. ED is rightly admired, appreciated and speaks to the widest possible audience in stark contrast to the situation during her short life. Thankfully her work survived and speaks to our age just as clearly as it did then. Take care.
Radice Avatar
September 17, 2023 at 12:41 AM
A well deserved POTD Paul. Congratulations. Since joining The Soup I've come to appreciate ED's work so much more. Your use of your own exquisite lines here in such brevity describe Dickinson and her work to a tee for me. Cheers - Gary
Willason Avatar
September 18, 2023 at 1:26 PM
Very much value your kind words Gary and to learn that we both share a love of ED"s poetry. She is an inspiration and confirms why poetry matters. In a way it is a vehicle for transcendence. Regards, Paul
Nicole Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:49 PM
A beautiful dedication to an amazing woman. So deserving to be chosen as Poem of the Day. Congratulations, Paul. My best to you. :) Brandy
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 9:11 PM
Many thanks Brandy...value your positive comments.
Kaufman Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 3:05 PM
Congratulations Paul. This is so lovely and such a wonderful tribute to her. Enjoy your honor as POTD
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 9:05 PM
Thanks Nancy for your kind feedback.
Slaughter Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 9:53 AM
She's one of my favorites, too. A great piece, Paul, and an excellent choice for POTD.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 9:03 PM
So many share a love of Emily's poetry...she easly gets inside your mind and says the things you would like to say but find just out of reach. Thanks Jim.
Goyal Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD! Beautiful tribute the wonderful poet!
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:59 PM
Thankyou Arastu....value your feedback.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Wonderful tribute to an outstanding poet! "in the exquisite vessel of your words." - love the ending lines. Congratulations on your receiving POTD honour. Best wishes ~
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:58 PM
Pleased that you liked the poem Malabika...thankyou for reading and taking the time to comment...
Parker Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:45 AM
Worthy choice for POTD. A tribute to legendary poetic soul. Lovely. :o)
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:57 PM
Many thanks Arlo...good to hear from you...
Romios Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:58 AM
Emily had her own, unique quality.simple words but inimitable ones, Congratulations! On the POTD, Paul. Pangie xx
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:56 PM
Her skill was knowing how to put simple words together to express the most complex and sublime thoughts... Indeed appreciate your comments Pangie...
Andresen Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:14 AM
- Congratulations with your lovely tribute poem, Paul :) -
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:53 PM
Thanks Anne-Lise ....appreciated.
Turner Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:12 AM
Excellent POTD Paul. She is one of my favorites. Congratulations, great to see your work honored.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:52 PM
Good to hear from you again old friend....thankyou..hope you're well.
M  Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:05 AM
Congratulations Paul on POTD! Debx
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:49 PM
Good to hear from you Deb....thanks for reading the poem.
Edmonds  Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 7:00 AM
A wonderful elegy on the work of Emily Dickinson an awesome poet. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem ofthe day… Belle
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:48 PM
Thnnkyou Belle...good to receive your comments.
Sands Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 5:17 AM
Congratulations for POTD. Enjoy :)
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:26 PM
Thankyou Heidi....appreciated
Allison Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 4:43 AM
what a lovely tribute Paul, many congrats on POTD:-) hugs jan xx
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:25 PM
Thanks Jan, pleased you liked it.
Seeker Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 4:07 AM
Beautiful tribute to a truly outstanding poet. Warmest congratulations on POTD, Paul
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:24 PM
Appreciate your feedback....thankyou for reading...good to hear from you.
Kitchin Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 3:13 AM
Paul, back to congratulate you on POTD, wonderfully penned!
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:18 PM
Thanks for returning Tania....value yr support
Bowring Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 1:01 AM
A marvellous tribute Paul exquisitely penned to a marvellous poet. I too, like many, have been studying her work. You are an amazing poet that expresses so well (like her) and delighted for your very worthy POTD. Look forward to reading more of your work. Enjoy your well deserved celebratory day.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:12 PM
So kind with your comments Christina...much appreciated. Have always had a book of Emily's poetry close by all my life, she illuminates life. Regards.
Lane Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 12:34 AM
Congratulations to you, Paul for having your poem chosen as today’s potd. Your poetry deserves to be read by many who haven’t yet had the pleasure.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2023 at 8:08 PM
Good to receive your coments Lin....always valued.
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