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10 Famous Emily Dickinson Poems

Emily Dickinson is a name synonymous with poetry. Her name as well as her poems, have stood the test of time and remain revered not only in global but also in American literature.

See our list of the 15 most influential female poets here!

Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830, Dickinson led a life of relative seclusion within the confines of her family’s homestead. However, her body of work broke through these walls and has captivated and influenced millions.

Her poems often have strange structures and are loaded with symbolism, revealing a profound sense of reflection.

This article will identify her 10 most famous poems highlighting what made the poem so fascinating.

1. I’m Nobody! Who are you?

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This poem, published in 1850 and one of Emily’s earlier works, praises anonymity. Emily explores concepts of identity, uniqueness, and self-worth in her poetry.

According to the poem, anonymity is sometimes preferable to being a celebrity. It is widely known that Emily was a recluse and this poem can be taken as a view into her life and thinking.

She contends that the only way to truly experience authenticity and freedom is through expressing one’s individuality and avoiding the gaze of others.

2. Because I could not stop for Death

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Published in 1863, 鈥淏ecause I could not stop for Death鈥�, is a poem exploring you guessed it. Death! This is one of the best-known poems by Emily Dickinson.

She posits that death is not something to be feared. It is a rather long poem that displays Dickinson鈥檚 storytelling ability. The said story is told through the eyes of a narrator who is taken gently towards death by the grim reaper, a civil gentleman.

The poem has been adapted by both classical and folk artists and set to music. Despite the gloomy tone, it is hopeful about the promise of immortality after death.

The first verse reads:

Because I could not stop for Death鈥�

He kindly stopped for me鈥�

The Carriage held but just Ourselves鈥�

And Immortality.

3. Hope is the thing with feathers

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This poem was published in 1861 and with its warm and delightful message and arguably singable rhythm, no wonder it became a hit. Emily explores the theme of hope.

Through the poem, she argues that hope is a force to be reckoned with that can help us in times of need. In the poem, she likens hope to a 鈥榮inging bird鈥�, that 鈥榩erches in the soul鈥�.

The first verse reads:

鈥淗ope鈥� is the thing with feathers 鈥�

That perches in the soul 鈥�

And sings the tune without the words 鈥�

And never stops 鈥� at all 鈥�

4. I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

Published in 1861, this is up there with the darkest and most disturbing poems from Dickinson. While the poem is referencing funeral and death, it鈥檚 about a different kind of death compared to poems like 鈥�Because I could not stop for Death鈥�.

This particular poem focuses on the death of the mind as Emily explores themes of mental health and losing one鈥檚 grip on reality.

A section of the poem reads:

And then a Plank in Reason, broke,

And I dropped down, and down 鈥�

And hit a World, at every plunge,

And Finished knowing 鈥� then 鈥�

5. This Is My Letter To The World

This a two-verse poem published in 1862. The poem appears to be a nod to her fans in her life and the future.

It is aimed at those, including you and I, who would read, revere, and review her works.

‘This Is My Letter To The World’ was set to music by composer David Leisner in 1986 who let the piano, guitar, and human voices sing her words to life.

The poem reads:

This is my letter to the World

That never wrote to Me鈥�

The simple News that Nature told鈥�

With tender Majesty

Her Message is committed        

To Hands I cannot see鈥�

For love of Her鈥� Sweet鈥� countrymen鈥�

Judge tenderly鈥� of Me

6. Success Is Counted Sweetest

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鈥楽uccess is counted sweetest鈥� was published in 1859 and to date remains among her most famous poems. In this poem, Emily explores the themes of Success and failure.

In the poem, she claims that success is the sweetest for a loser as they, more than the victor, know the true definition of victory. This is one of the few poems by Dickinson that were published during her lifetime, albeit anonymously.

The first verse reads:

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne’er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

7. This World is not Conclusion

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The poem 鈥楾his World is Not Conclusion鈥� was written by Emily in 1862 but was published posthumously in the 1890s. In the poem, Emily explores the themes of mortality, death, the afterlife, and existence.

According to her, this world is but a stepping stone to something greater and better. She questions the notion of a conclusive end to life, suggesting that there is something beyond our limited understanding.

The first two verses read:

This world is not conclusion.

A sequel stands beyond,

Invisible, as music

But positive as sound.

It beckons, and it baffles.

We cannot look behind.

But knowing it is there

We feel the throb of it.

8. My Life had stood 鈥� a Loaded Gun

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Emily Dickinson wrote this poem in 1863 but it was published in 1929. It is a very cryptic rendition that is interpreted differently by many, usually dependent on the reader.

Some claim that it offers social commentary on a woman鈥檚 societal roles while others claim it’s about violence and power.  

It reads:

My Life had stood 鈥� a Loaded Gun 鈥�

In Corners 鈥� till a Day

The Owner passed 鈥� identified 鈥�

And carried Me away 鈥�

9. The heart asks Pleasure 鈥� First

Written in 1859, Dickinson explored the human psyche in this poem diving into themes of human emotions, desire, and even choices.

According to Emily, pleasure takes precedence over all else, followed by lack of pain, sleep, and eventually, the relief of death if all should fail.

The poem reads:

The Heart asks Pleasure 鈥� first 鈥�

And then 鈥� Excuse from Pain 鈥�

And then 鈥� those little Anodynes

That deaden suffering 鈥�

And then 鈥� to go to sleep 鈥�

And then 鈥� if it should be

The will of its Inquisitor

The privilege to die 鈥�

10. After great pain, a formal feeling comes

Written in 1862, this poem tackles the themes of grief and loss and how they can affect an individual. While maintaining that grief is temporary, Emily can with great effect depict was the pain of the psych can do to one鈥檚 body.

With 13 unforgettable and timeless lines, Dickinson is able to render and bring to life the nuances of complex emotions and their effects. This is why the poem has gained fame.

The poem reads:

After great pain, a formal feeling comes鈥�

The Nerves sit ceremonious, like tombs鈥�

The stiff Heart questions “was it He, that bore,

And “Yesterday, or Centuries before”?

The Feet, mechanical, go round鈥�

A Wooden way

Of Ground, or Air, or Ought鈥�

Regardless grown,

A Quartz contentment, like a stone鈥�

This is the Hour of Lead鈥�

Remembered, if outlived,

As Freezing persons, recollect the snow鈥�

First鈥� Chill鈥� then stupor鈥� then the letting go鈥�

In conclusion, this list merely scratches the surface of Emily’s remarkable body of work. However, we did our best to identify 10 of her most famous poems.
With nearly 1,800 poems to her name, Dickinson’s poetic prowess goes far beyond the boundaries of any curated selection. Her poems have left an indelible mark on the world of literature, and her name remains synonymous with poetic brilliance.