Emily


Correspondence with Emily Introduction by Robert E. Kogan The vast majority of Emily Dickinson’s (1830 – 1886) poetry was discovered after her death. During her lifetime, it appears only seven of her poems were published, without her permission and with considerable editorial revisions. Her sister found 1,775 of her pomes in a bureau drawer, and others were discovered in old letters she had written to friends. Her poetry continued to be published from 1890 – 1955. Not long ago, while looking over my scrapbook, I discovered some correspondence from Emily, and some poems I sent in relpy. Dear Robert, It’s such a little thing to weep, So short a thing to sigh And yet by trades the size of these We mend and women die! Love, Emily ~ Dear Emily, My life is measured out by sighs And from tears I shed So I seek comfort from my friends, both the living, and the dead. Love, Robert ~ Parting Dear Robert, My life closed twice before its close, It yet remains to see If immortality unveil A third event to me. So huge, so hopeless to conceive, As these that twice befell Parting is all we know of heaven And all we need of hell. Love, Emily ~ Dear Emily Of all the sounds that I have heard, The ones I most deplore Are the footsteps from departing friends – The closing of the door. And your door closed before we met To share our poetry. But I find comfort in your words – They keep my company. Love, Robert ~ Dear Robert, I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes – I wonder if It weighs like Mine – Or has an Easier size. I wonder if They bore it long – Or did it just begin – I could not tell the Date of Mine – It feels so old a pain – I wonder if it hurts to live – And if They have to try – And whether – could They choose between – It would not be – to die – I note that Some – gone patient long – At length, renew their smile – An imitation of a Light That has so little Oil – I wonder if when Years have piled – Some Thousands – on the Harm – That hurt them early – such a lapse Could give them any Balm – Or would they go on aching still Through Centuries of Nerve – Enlightened to a larger Pain – In Contrast with the Love – The Grieved – are many – I am told – There is the various Cause – Death – is but one – and comes but once – And only nails the eyes – There's Grief of Want – and grief of Cold – A sort they call "Despair" – There's Banishment from native Eyes – In Sight of Native Air – And though I may not guess the kind – Correctly – yet to me A piercing Comfort it affords In passing Calvary – To note the fashions – of the Cross – And how they're mostly worn – Still fascinated to presume That Some – are like My Own – Through Centuries of Nerve -- Enlightened to a larger Pain - In Contrast with the Love -- The Grieved -- are many -- I am told -- There is the various Cause -- Death -- is but one -- and comes but once -- And only nails the eyes -- There's Grief of Want -- and Grief of Cold -- A sort they call "Despair" -- There's Banishment from native Eyes -- In sight of Native Air -- And though I may not guess the kind -- Correctly -- yet to me A piercing Comfort it affords In passing Calvary -- To note the fashions -- of the Cross -- And how they're mostly worn -- Still fascinated to presume That Some -- are like My Own – Love, Emily ~ Dear Emily, Your grief is but a friend of mine, For I have known her well. She rests within my mind, And makes my life a living hell. Tis said that time will heal all wounds – And remove my sorrow, Yet she resides within the rooms I’ll enter in tomorrow. I doubt that she would choose to leave. She’s found a friend in me. Her solitary purpose is To keep me company. And when I choose to take my leave And bid a found farewell, I fear that she will follow me To heaven or to hell. And much like Love, she’ll stay with me. Always by my side. For throughout all eternity She’ll try to be my bride. If death can come but only once, Then let it be my fate To find your soul waiting there To join and be my mate. The grief of want and grief of cold Will always seek to reign. Yet when your grief has merged with mine, We will ignore the pain. So wait for just a little while Until we can commune And share our souls through poetry, For I am coming soon. Love, Robert ~ Dear Robert, Heart, we will forget him! You and I, tonight! You may forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light. When you have done, pray tell me That I my thoughts may dim; Haste! lest while you're lagging. I may remember him! Love, Emily ~ Dear Emily, It’s easy to forget A heart consumed by flame. Experience is what’s left Once you forget his name. The heart will dim when thoughts of him Belong to yesterday. It may take years to dry your tears, Before they fade away. Love, Robert ~ Dear Robert, So proud she was to die It made us all ashamed That what we cherished, so unknown To her desire seemed. So satisfied to go Where none of us should be, Immediately, that anguish stooped Almost to jealousy. Love, Emily ~ Dear Emily, No need to cherish death. So why seek martyrdom? When all you have to do is live, For death will surely come. Be jealous of the living, And of the life they led. Celebrate each new tomorrow When praying for the dead. Love, Robert

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