Fascicles Untitled

Daniel Henry Rodgers

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Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Epigraph: “I read Emily’s original poems not only to remember her, but to feel her still resisting— they put her in a closet, for they wanted her forever still.” —Poet

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Fascicles Untitled

The Printers clipped her Dash—
And caged her Breath in Chains—

Yet Time—
 its Lantern flickering—
Restores what none can name—

They pressed her Thunder flat—
But Silence wove the Wild—

One Century—betrayed—
Another—keeps the Fire—

The Raggedness they could not mend
 Fulfills her single Desire—

She would not sell her Storms—
Yet—
 Time perceives—

Dashes leap the narrow Page—
Where Songs could never bow—

Letters she sent—
To Sue—so near—
Held beyond the Press—
 In twine between the Lines—

Her Voice—untitled still—
Dwells in Quiet Rooms—
Waiting for the Lantern
 To scatter Hollows—

Ink may fade—
Fingers cut—and bend—
But jagged Breath survives
 Where Silence will not end—

Storms were never meant for Shelves—
 But for the Open Sky—

literaturemetaphorpoetesspoetrystormlyric

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Duke Beaufort

September 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM

Daniel, thanks for revealing this history. Too bad she did not get recognition during her life. However, we can hope she enjoyed what she was writing. I certainly get the impression that you do. That is a good thing. We do this because there's some fun and happiness that comes from being here. Recognition is nice, but it's not the driver for a healthy ego. Hope you are well and sending smiles!!

Maria Williams

September 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM

Dear Daniel,Such a powerful and haunting piece. I love how the imagery of storms, lanterns, and silence all carry the weight of resistance and survival. It feels like a tribute to voices that refuse to be forgotten, breaking free from the page to live on in open skies. Truly moving and beautifully written tribute to ED...Hugs

Daniel Henry Rodgers

September 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM

Dear Maria, It is a great joy to see your note and your insights. Emily Dickinson was an unknown in her lifetime and it was only in death that her sister took her poems and published them but even then they were greatly doctored up. It was not until the 1950s and 60s that they finally published her poems as written. She would have been a great poet then, and of course, she is now recognized as a great poet. Blessings, Maria, Daniek

Victor Buhagiar

September 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM

Hi Daniel, Emily Dickinson is well known in poetic circles. Occasionally sad but brilliant poetry.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

September 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM

Hello Victor, I think you are right that she is well known; however, many have not taken the time to truly read her poems in the unredacted forms. I am thankful that you stopped by to celebrate her life and writings. Blessings, Victor, Daniel

Anne Winter

September 4, 2025 at 4:40 AM

Dearest Daniel, Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite poets. She always fascinated me. Your tribute to her is truly magnificent! "One Century—betrayed— Another—keeps the Fire—" my favorite lines. Brilliant! With love and respect always, Anne

Daniel Henry Rodgers

September 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Dearest Anne, I can see the fire from her living in you. She was uncelebrated in life, and it wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that she was released with unredacted poems, unlike the volumes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I have a real heart for poets that truly speak from the heart, and Emily was one of them, along with Plath, Woolf, Sexton.... Blessings, Dear Anne, Daniel