How did you accomplish
the incredible magic
of turning loneliness
into Solitude?
What wizard's wand did you wave
to change the shadows of Despair
into a dawn of Faith?
How did you alter your Self
from enchanted into Enchantress?
I've read between the lines---
between the dashes---
between the symbols---
still, Vision is vague...
Did you add flame
to a secret candle
to allow your radiance
a possibilty of Growth?
Did you chant past Midnight
while the world slept, dreamless?
What power did you hold
in your trembling Heart?
How lightly did you grasp
your Time,
and how did you know
when to release it?
How could you conceal
the Mystery
from those around you
so well for so long?
Madame, I admire
your strength of Existence,
your words that explode
like strategically-placed land mines---
placed there not to harm, but to capture
the attentions of those
who pass by without seeing.
How could you love so strongly?
Your Love was a bird of Spirit,
given Flight
toward an unknown Horizon---
you were never sure of its return
to the Home in your Soul
where Creation occured,
but you were proud of the Gift
of Freedom...
You, too, had wings,
though you were bound to Earth
by Time & circumstance---
you were able to soar
past the limits of the Flesh...
How did you stay
on your unswerving Path,
alone?
Did you feel a Need greater
than that of most mortals?
I read your verses & understand
the thickness---the warmth---
of poetry in the blood
& fire in the Soul...
February 26, 1986
4:45 p.m.
Author notes
Option 1--
Write a response in tribute to your favorite published poet. (Please say which poet)
My favorite book is "The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson";
my big brother gave it to me for my birthday one year.
Yes, she was a painter, too! With words, at any rate...think she doodled a bit too...I know she painted some Indian Pipe flowers on the cover of her hand-created manuscript cover...YES! I HAVE a copy! I ordered it when I worked in the library...her OWN handwriting, available through the miracles of microfiche! (Boston U) It's awesome...I also typed the 'finished' poems from her book & framed ALL, along with a picture (daguerrotype) of her...
Written July 15th, 2004
In a list
- Inspired by Emily Dickinson • next in list
- Inspired by Famous People • next in list
- Poems on Poetry • next in list
- Gold • next in list
- A Few of My Favorite Poems • next in list
- Older Poems (under construction) • next in list
A contest entry
- Options -- My very first contest by Unowhatthesis4.
1600 points, ended May 29, 2007, 13 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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I agree Emily Dickinson is my fave! #1. her b-day is also my b-day Decemeber 10th..awesome
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Thank you, Babette. I've loved her since I began writing. When you have a moment, please check out my link; it has a rare photograph of her in her later years that was only recently discovered (around 2000, I believe); it also has poems directly inspired by the Belle of Amherst. Be well, Poet. Wanda
www.allpoetry.com/list/32248-Inspired-by-Emily-Dickinson
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Oops, I forgot to applaud. I am new at this!! :-D
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Congrats on your gold! This is a beautiful tribute and you obviously have great admiration for Em D. I also really liked your author notes about your brother giving you her book and the hand created manuscript cover. :-)
And my favorite line (jumped out at me) was "Madame, I admire your strength of Existence" which sort of implies your desire to be much the same. Strong and passionate. -
A Work of Art!!!
All the questions you asked of Emily...
I ask of you!
A moving, touching tribute...
Emily is smiling down on ya!
Well worth the Gold, Scribe!
~ Nicholas ~
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! I really love this poem, I do. From the great punch of those first four lines (it's a wonderful distinction to highlight, the difference between loneliness and solitude) which draws the reader into the world of Dickinson, to the final word of the poem, "soul," which delivers the reader to the final destination of what Emily was all about. In that sense, the poem starts with soul and ends with soul. :-)
You've done a great job at incorporating Emily's style into your own voice. From using her dashes, to the capitalized nouns, to even the metapoetical lines on searching for truth through Emily's style (I liked those lines), you show that you're completely familiar with her work and her legacy.
One line I particularly like is, "How lightly did you grasp your Time," because it melds the abstraction of a capitalized noun with the immaterial nature of Emily's relationship to this earth.
You really did a great job with this poem, thank you -
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Thank YOU, Poet.
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a wonderful trubute here
I had not noticed so much about Dickinson before reading this and other pieces by this writer on the subject so it has been a lesson of the excellence of Dickinson and the excellence of this gifted writer...PK
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Wonderful piece, you have declared your awe and respect with a truly open heart. Great write.
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I've always loved Miss Em...Thank you for your kind words... Wanda
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I'm just a Poet, Mark. Just a (former) librarian from Kansas. Just a girl. Just another person strolling along the garden path, pickin' petals & scatterin' seeds as I go. Nothin' special. Just me. 
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It's a poem like this that makes me ask, who are you, Wanda?
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Thank you for your gracious words, sugs. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I appreciate your kindness & your time. Be well, Poet. Wanda
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wow ! another of ur masterpieces n another of applauds by ur fan... m an Emily lover too...thnx for sharing ths piece n it was great to read ur author's comment too...how i wish i could just touch that book...
great write, keep writing
luv -
"we just are too weak
to live without love..."
Or, perhaps too strong, Rich...
"as if saving us from nothing
and all its luxuries."
Gorgeous comment, Sweetie...Thank you, my illustrious Friend... Wanda
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The role of destiny,
Ah! such a secret,
and we suppose to know
wisdom and his brother
we just are too weak
to live without love...
so we rise and write.
bringing the source
of forever's tears
close to our souls,
and piercing straight through,
as if saving us from nothing
and all its luxuries.
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Thank you for your kind words...They certainly work for me...
I'm quite sure Descartes would love your motto, too...Thanks for comin' by, Jim...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Awesome. I wish I had the words to do this piece justice, but I do not. Suffice to say that I enjoyed it very much. ~Jim
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Thank you, Mouse Poet...I'm glad you liked it, my Friend...Being you is a good thing...You're the only one that can...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Thank you, Ashers...I'm glad you liked it...Be well, Poet...I'll be by to read yours ASAP...I'm kinda swamped at the moment... Wanda
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Very nice. I think that what inspired me to write was my mother's love for Robert Louis Stevenson. I tried in the beginning to be like him, but I later came to the conclusion that I didn't want to be like anyone else. I wanted to be like me. Good poem.
Edited on Feb 05, 9:50 p.m. because ''. -
this is great!!!I did enter, but I don't really think it's Emily like:
allpoetry.com/poem/1803779
I think I just started throwing things in that didn't make any sence...Tell me what you think...
Love
Ashers
P.S. I too admire Emily and her creative mind... -
That is very interesting, Wanda! And I'm sure you have noticed that 'W' and 'E' are neighbors on the keyboard...must be something to that...
I am enjoying reading these...I can tell you the judging will be difficult!
Doc -
Thanks, Doc...I'm glad you liked it, my Friend...My biggest influences have always been Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Elinor Wylie & Elizabeth Barrett Browning...notice a pattern there??? They all begin with 'E', which I find rather unusual... Thanks for hosting a great contest...I love poetry & poems about poetry...Have fun judging, Doc...Looks like you've got some great entries...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Wanda,
Thank you for entering this piece in the contest. It is a beautiful poem and I am sure Emily herself would be very proud. I enjoyed reading this very much, as with all of the pieces you write.
Doc -
Can ya imagine how far she'd have gone with the capability to email??? Thanks, Karen...I'm still kinda partial to this one, my Friend... Wander
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Miss Emily would have loved that tribute ... though she couldn't talk to you face to face This is absolutely beautiful Wanda
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Thanks for reading...I'm glad you liked it...& yeah, the ellipsis is part of Dickinson's style, as well as the seemingly random capitalizations...which really aren't random, at all...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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nice job laddy
I'm not a fan of Emily Dickinson at all, but I believe that you pulled off a nice poem. i especially like the line:
your words that explode
like strategically-placed land mines---
what I don't understand is the ---, but I'll assume that it's something that Dickinson did. -
Ummm...thank you... Hang in there...unfortunately, there are those that don't grasp the concept... Wanda
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hmmm
cool
atleast you forced yourself...unlike 'Stac'....what a bad way to start judging this..
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Thank you for your lovely & gracious words, Rowan...I love Emily's works...I'm pleased you enjoyed it..As far back as college, people (my Lit. Prof. specifically) have compared some of my poems to hers...Of course, I did get my capitalizations & punctuations from reading her work...but still!!! I always kinda figured that, when I got to the Pearly Gates, she'd be waitin' for me...with a really big stick behind her back... Thanks again... Wanda
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Thank you for sharing this with me.
This is truly a work of admiration, beauty, and thought.
The flow, structure, and the understanding of a fellow woman poet,
Emily, would have been honored.
What an stunning epitath.
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Thanks, Jo...I'm glad you enjoyed it...I've always had a special 'bond' of sorts with Miss Emily...even in college, my literature professor remarked on it...Thanks for reading... Wanda
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you picked up the essence of Emily so well not only by the images, but the overall tone in this poem. I love poems of poets and their poetry, sometimes I even indulge myself into their personal lives in my own writing. but reading this poem was a real treat...it's really a beautiful poem Wanda. thanks for the link bringing me to it.
Jo
Jo -
Thanks, Moon Girl...Glad ya liked it, Helen... Wanda
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Good
I have two poetry books by Emily and I have always been drawn to New England poets and writers.Thoreau's Walden is another whom I read.I think she did an excellent job of producing work in such isolation.But there again aren't most of us that way.Thank you for entering Wanda and good luck Helen
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Thanks, Melpomene...Glad ya liked it, Poet...My favorite poems by her are on my author's page...In school, we only read the ones about Death; she is so much more than that...She wrote 1,775 poems in her lifetime...all quite worthy of being published, in my view... Wanda
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Oh wow wow wow wow! I have not read anything by emily, but this, this is amazing, you show your respect and love for this lady and her work!!! Amazing wanda! this is beautifully constructed!
Keep it up!
Melpomene -
Awww, thanks...I love Emily, as is evidenced by this penning...I have a few more about/to her, as well...I appreciate ya, Poet...& yeah, I try not to make mistakes...someone is bound to notice... Wanda
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10/1
loved it....Umm...Crap I'm out of stuff to say. It's real god, no errors as I'm noticing is your habbit and the 'spark' is there I think. Good job deary.
Ta-Ta,
Emonquente
EDIT: The verdict should be 10/10 not 10/1 lol
Edited on Sep 12, 11:55 p.m. because ''. -
Thank you, my Friend..I adore Emily...I wrote an imagined conversation between her & Omar Khayyam, if you'd like to look at it...I'm pleased to learn you love Emily, too... Wanda
www.allpoetry.com/poem/724101 -
Emily saw things that no one else would even dream of, until she dreamed it for us. She is definitely at the table of muses now, watching over us little people, tapping us on the mind, saying, "look behind the blade of grass. That's where the beauty lies." Wonderful vision you've captured here Wanda. I love Emily as well.
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I've often been accused of being like Emily Dickinson, beginning with a college professor I loved & admired...I also think ED will be waiting for me when I get to Heaven...with a big stick behind her back...LOL Thanks for reading so many so well... Wanda
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Superb poetry.
Lovely, and so heartfelt. Emily Dickenson left a mark, and new words transcend... -
Thank you, Kind Sir...I'm glad you liked it...& yes, a sensitive spirit, indeed...after all, I am a Poet...LOL I've always thought there are those that dabble in writing poetry, while I am one...Again, thank you for your gracious comments...I've enjoyed them...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Articulate
We all have heroes
And especially have heorines
From mothers and aunts
To lady teachers, scholars.
I like to think
That nations are feminine
Men act like lovers
Fighting for her favors.
You got it girl
That thing of beauty
The peace fought for
With the sharpest pencils.
You hear obviously melodically
With an invisible temper
More favorably called temperment
Like pepperment hot tea.
The say deep blue
In a pond reflects
The sky like mirrors
From cold distant depths.
Like that you write
Lightly on the top
And below your words
Reflect a sensitive spirit.
Peace AT Alishtari- Amazigh -
I know!!! I can't count the number of times I've had to defend my punctuation, capitals, ampersands & ellipses!!! hehehe
I even wrote a poem, ~ & ~ LMAO Thank God, you get it, my Friend...yeah, Emily is so much more than those silly poems about Death we're forced to read in school...Thanks for reading, Muddy... 
Wanda
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I love how you used Emily's punctuation...I do at times and so many don't get it...lovely write indeed...she was more in tune with nature than any poet I've read...Peace Muddy
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Thanks, shortrocker911...Glad ya liked it...hehehe Kinda thought ya might, bein' an Emily fan & all...Thanks for reading... Wanda
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woah that was awesome
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Thank you, Runawaytrain...I appreciate your desire to investigate her works again...& deeply appreciate your apology, though quite unneccessary...I've had to 'defend' my punctuation, capitalization & my use of the ampersand...& ellipses...I've resisted, thus far...LOL As for the ampersands, I write in longhand & calligraphy; it just looks prettier...the ellipses??? No poem is ever completely finished, especially not in my case...it continues on, into Infinity...Thanks again for your fairness & attention to detail...In the light of some of the contests I've entered, it's very encouraging to find impartiality & a sense of Honour...Thanks again...It's gonna be a great contest, I think... Wanda
Edited on Apr 23, 4:06 p.m. because ''. -
Thanks, Moon Girl...I have her 'Collected Works' & have read many things about her: biographical, as well as critical analysis...I even got her original manuscript on microfilm from Boston University; I copied my favorites (in her own handwriting!!!), put them next to typed copies & framed them, along with a copy of this daguerrotype...I dunno why, really, but I have always had some intense connection with her words...Glad you liked it, Helen...thanks for reading with such Heart...I also like the Bronte sisters... Wanda
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I had not visited a Dickinson poem in years until this morning. I remembered her capitalizing a few words for emphasis, but felt that in your desire to emulate you may have gone a little overboard, but after reading through her works this morning, I see that my memory was faulty. She capitalized a lot more words than I ever realized... LOL... and you have not over-done it in your tribute to her style, so I apologize.
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Escellent
Wanda I adore Emily.I own very few poetry books but I have 2 by Miss Dickinson.I have always been intruiged by her and also the Bronte sisters.They all led secluded lives but wrote such passionate novels and Wordly insights.Anyway I loved this and bravo
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Thanks for reading, Runawaytrain...I did delete a lot of the capitalizations, but the remaining ones, I believe, are essential to the poem...as you know, Emily Dickinson also used capitalization & punctuation for emphasis, as I did here...it gives the words a more important function & distinction...I'm glad you liked it...Thanks for your time & consideration... Wanda
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Hmmmm, I have two entries of apostrophe poems to Dickinson, and both of them have an odd use of capitalization... ? This is a beautiful poem. Are the words capitalized in the middle of sentences titles of Dickinson's poetry? If not, for this contest, I suggest only capitalizing the words that need to be.
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I liked the way you did not over use punctuation, but there were times when I wondered if you had under used it and that perhaps it was necessary to emphasize certain points in the poem. I notice that you chose to use and quite a lot whilst I understand there were certain points that needed it there was also times when having left it out your poem would have flowed more freely. For example in this line,
I've read between the lines---
between the dashes---
between the symbols---
and still, Vision is vague...
If it just read, still, Vision is vague. I personally think that would sound better. I love the content of the poem I think it is written very lovingly and is a true tribute to Emily Dickinson.
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I really enjoyed the way you used a grammatical format similar to Dickinson's poetry. Doing so lent a sense of immediacy to the work, and would also have identified the subject for anyone versed with her poems. Thanks for sharing this!
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Enjoyed reading
A wonderfully written piece. You do Emily proud, a beautiful tribute to a truly gifted poet, and you're not too bad yourself madam.
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Beautiful write... the picture freaks me out though as it is like these old pictures I have seen so many times on old photo albums... But I did enjoy the read...
Frenchie -
What a remarkable tribute to a remarkable woman. The first four lines of this piece are captivating, and you don't disappoint.
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Amazingly written tribute. I would think she is looking down and whispering into your Muse's ear to keep this kind of work flowing through you. Best of luck.
~~~POO~~~ -
Be-ah-utiful! 10/10!
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Amazing!
This my dearest friend, is just stunning! Emily is smiling with your words of praise, of total beauty in your heart! I read this as if I were her... you have seen what she wanted so many to see and feel in her writing, and even deeper. She has touched you with her graces my friend with your deepest affection of her work... I "know" this.
Your Love was a bird of Spirit,
given Flight
toward an Unknown Horizon---
you were never sure of its return
to the Home in your Soul
where Creation ocurred,
but you were Proud of the Gift
of Freedom...
You saw inside, and it's clear with these words. My dearest friend, this is amazing in every way... I bow to you, and I am most happy that Miss E.D. left such an impression on you to inspire your talents to share with all . We are the lucky one's now, I know this is a winner, you have touched my soul once again with your words, to see beyond Best of luck my dear friend, Much love, Annie
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Awesome two thumbs up!!
Exquisite... brava... the spirit of tribute is evident in your majestic wonder ... "You, too, had wings,
though you were bound to Earth
by Time & Circumstance---
you were able to soar
past the limits of the Flesh..." particularly ironic as MS Dickenson was considered by many as the poet who broke all the rules... great passion vibrates and there are those who break records and become the torch bearers of darkness beyond the limits exceeding a new vein as a petal is unique the truth of beauty becomes completion as life-blood, truth are painted as eloquently as you have here Brava Wishing you and yours much success in all of your endeavors... Love, Peace, Joy, Blessings, Wisdom Myst
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Too bad her sister burned all of her "good" stuff. Imagine what we are missing out on.
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Ok, Em...ya gotta tell me...what does your motto mean??? I just entered this poem in a contest & saw it...I do believe it's Latin...but what does it mean??? C'mon & tell me, 'k??? Love ya, Lady Bird...Hope all is well...we can add 2 more to my list...I received two more poems since ya counted, Sweetheart...thanks for doin' that, by the way... Wanda
Edited on Apr 22 because ''. -
What a lovely, generous comment...you honor me with your praise...thank you for your time, Poet...I appreciate your visit...& I'm glad you enjoyed the link!!! Isn't it beautiful??? Be well... Wanda
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Exquisite
I think Ms. Dickinson would have felt honored by this exquisitely rendered poetic tribute. What greater gift to give a poet than poetry...inspired by their own words to poesy! I love the poet - the one now past except through her words and the one still present. Excellently done!
PS - I thoroughly enjoyed the link you provided...a grand life-line into my mired doldrums.
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Awesome!
I love this tribute to Emily dickinson! She indeed know how to express herself through verse as you have also! -
I appreciate your Time, Sir...thanks for a lovely comment...I've written, & posted, more than a few to The Belle of Amherst...including one called, 'Meeting of the Minds', an imagined conversation between Emily Dickinson & Omar Khayyam...ah! the arrogance of Youth...LOL... Good to 'meet' you, Sir...I've seen your comments on other poets' works; you're always intelligent & kind...I like that in a reader!!! Thanks again, Sir... Wanda
Edited on Dec 15, 7:56 p.m. because ''. -
{bows lithely, tossing posies at your feet}
Why, thank you, Suh!!! I appreciate ya, Poet... Wanda
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splendid and innovative
The poem in rhetoric mostly seems to pay glowing tributes to the great Poetry of Emily Dickinson who led a quiet life and kept herself confined and desires curtailed successfully for most of her life-time and yet, produced a voluminous gush of intense, poetry that was well appreciated posthumously.There are many things that the writer wishes to know but can't!But all the same, acknowledges the greatness of Emily's poetry that stood the tests of time!The world still wonders how a lady and spinster controlled her emotions and passed it on into words of a high order! -
A wesome
awesome write... utterly awesome.. -
Gordie...I counted more superlatives here than not...LOL My Goodness, how kind you are!!! Thank you so very much, my Friend...so very glad you liked it... Wanda
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Excellent
WOW what can I say but a classic. Such great words Such a great poem such a great writer.....so so good ....Thank you -
Thank you, Moses...I knew you'd 'get it'...she just captured my Imagination & never let it go!!! Be well, Sir...I appreciate your Time, my Friend... Wanda
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This is a lovely tribute to a great writer! Thanks for posting this in the contest, and giving me the pleasure of reading this.
The sentiments are wonderful.
Best wishes,
Moses -
Thanks, Kel...I knew you'd understand Miss Em & I...it's a bit of an obsession...she fascinates me...I tend to be a bit reclusive sometimes...but people always come to visit me when I retreat, too, so I'm never completely alone...I dunno...she speaks to me...my Heart & my Soul...been tryin' to figure it out for years...& the fascination just gets reinforced that much more...Have a great Sunday, my Friend!!! Wanda
Edited on Apr 22, 1:01 because ''. -
Wonderful and so powerful and rich! I have admired Emily nearly my whole life. There is something about her that tugs at me, chills me and warms me at the same time. She was/is so special, even in her solitude. What a brave soul, to live life that way! This write is magnificent, capturing her very essence which spills out as light to nurture admiring poets. Beautiful! Best to you in the contest!--Kel
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