Many of us today, being increasingly reclusive ourselves, have grown to appreciate the incredible woman more and more over time. Dickinson was a 19th-century baddie who forged her own path despite societal pressures to become a wife and mother and nothing else. She was formally educated, had a mind for literature and science, and was in love with her brother’s wife — heartbreaking, I know. She used her wit and intellect to do as she pleased and tell everyone to get out of her way. Dickinson knew what it was like to want to be out in the world while unable to venture out there. And in her poetry, we can find solace reading of her own experiences and the ways she challenged her depressive thoughts. RELATED: 50 Short Flirty Love Poems That Are Perfect For Texting Dickinson wrote poems in playful tones, introspective tones, and sometimes depressive tones. So no matter your current mood, there is sure to be a quote from one of Emily Dickinson’s poems you can relate to and that will help you think and feel in new dimensions. Her agony over her isolation is easily translated into the woes commonly felt during coronavirus quarantine. Dickinson’s hope for freedom from her numerous metaphorical prisons can give us hope for freedom from ours. And she can teach us so much about the limitlessness of our minds. It is our minds that will free us.
20 Emily Dickinson Quotes From Her Best Poems
1. “There is another sunshine, Though it be darkness there.” — from “There is Another Sky”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons In this poem, Dickinson writes about hope for the future. No matter how bad things may seem, there is always another day, another place, another sky. There is another sky,Ever serene and fair,And there is another sunshine,Though it be darkness there;Never mind faded forests, Austin,Never mind silent fields -Here is a little forest,Whose leaf is ever green;Here is a brighter garden,Where not a frost has been;In its unfading flowersI hear the bright bee hum:Prithee, my brother,Into my garden come!
2. “In the peaceful west Many the sails at rest — The anchors fast — Thither I pilot thee” — from “On This Wondrous Sea”
Dickinson writes often about the sea and how vast it is compared to the confines of her house. The sea is a dreamscape for her mind to stretch the expanses of the earth where her feet will not take her. This poem takes us on a journey with her from our own sofas and beds to the serenity and wonder of the seas. On this wondrous seaSailing silently,Ho! Pilot, ho!Knowest thou the shoreWhere no breakers roar —Where the storm is o’er? In the peaceful westMany the sails at rest —The anchors fast —Thither I pilot thee —Land Ho! Eternity!Ashore at last!
3. “Twice have I stood a beggar Before the door of God! Angels, twice descending, Reimbursed my store.” — from “I Never Lost as Much but Twice”
Dickinson’s life was consumed by being isolated and alone. This poem identifies her frustration and loneliness. I never lost as much but twiceAnd that was in the sod.Twice have I stood a beggarBefore the door of God! Angels, twice descending,Reimbursed my store.Burglar, banker, father,I am poor once more!
4. “In a serener Bright, In a more golden light I see Each little doubt and fear, Each little discord here Removed.” — from “I Have a Bird in Spring”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Outside her window, Dickinson observes the changing of the seasons and relates them to the changes she sees in the world and the people around her. Despite her family leading active lives and traveling away from the hometown that she never leaves, Dickinson knows that they will return someday. Everything happens in cycles; what goes down must come back up. I have a Bird in springWhich for myself doth sing –The spring decoys.And as the summer nears –And as the Rose appears,Robin is gone. Yet do I not repineKnowing that Bird of mineThough flown –Learneth beyond the seaMelody new for meAnd will return. Fast in safer handHeld in a truer LandAre mine –And though they now depart,Tell I my doubting heartThey’re thine. In a serener Bright,In a more golden lightI seeEach little doubt and fear,Each little discord hereRemoved. Then will I not repine,Knowing that Bird of mineThough flownShall in distant treeBright melody for meReturn.
5. So when you are tired — Or perplexed —or cold — Trust the loving promise Underneath the mould," — from “I Often Passed the Village”
Read this one before the walks you take to ward off cabin fever. Dickinson paints a quiet, still scene of a village she passed by many times before. I often passed the villageWhen going home from school —And wondered what they did there —And why it was so still — I did not know the year then —In which my call would come —Earlier, by the Dial,Than the rest have gone. It’s stiller than the sundown.It’s cooler than the dawn —The Daisies dare to come here —And birds can flutter down — So when you are tired —Or perplexed —or cold —Trust the loving promiseUnderneath the mould,Cry ‘it’s I,’ ’take Dollie,‘And I will enfold!
6. “In this short life that lasts only an hour… How much – how little – is within our power”
In this short poem, Dickinson contemplates her agency over her life. Time alone is a perfect time for introspection and this poem — as well as the others on this list — provokes the mind to do such work. In this short Life that only lasts an hourHow much – how little – is within our power
7. “Lest I should be old fashioned I’ll put a trinket on.” — from “The Morns are Meeker Than They Were —”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Nature is used as a character in many of Dickinson’s poems. In nature, she finds tranquility, spirituality, and exploration. In this poem, Dickinson marvels at nature’s beauty and concludes that she must get dressed up so as not to feel underdressed in the company of the Massachusetts woods. The morns are meeker than they were -The nuts are getting brown -The berry’s cheek is plumper -The rose is out of town. The maple wears a gayer scarf -The field a scarlet gown -Lest I sh’d be old-fashionedI’ll put a trinket on.
8. “Could themself have peeped –And seen my Brain – go round –They might as wise have lodged a BirdFor Treason – in the Pound.” — from “They Shut Me Up in Prose”
Dickinson uses this poem as an outlet for her anger at the patriarchy. She doesn’t want to be told who to be or what to do, and neither do you! They shut me up in Prose –As when a little GirlThey put me in the Closet –Because they liked me ‘still’ – Still! Could themself have peeped –And seen my Brain – go round –They might as wise have lodged a BirdFor Treason – in the Pound – Himself has but to willAnd easy as a StarLook down opon Captivity –And laugh – No more have I –
9. “It just reminded me — ’twas all — And came my way no more.” — from “A Thought Went Up My Mind Today”
Ruminating thoughts are too easy to sink into, but this poem reminds us of the power of mindfulness. Dickinson lets the thought enter her mind without judgment then she lets it go, like watching a leaf on a stream. A Thought went up my mind today —That I have had before —But did not finish — some way back —I could not fix the Year — Nor where it went — nor why it cameThe second time to me —Nor definitely, what it was —Have I the Art to say — But somewhere — in my Soul — I know —I’ve met the Thing before —It just reminded me — ’twas all —And came my way no more —
10. “The Soul unto itself Is an imperial friend, Or the most agonizing Spy an Enemy could send.” — from “The Soul Unto Itself”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons When spending so much time with ourselves, we can become our own best friend or worst enemy. Dickinson encourages us to find the wonder and appreciation for our minds and souls. The Soul unto itselfIs an imperial friend —Or the most agonizing Spy —An Enemy — could send — Secure against its own —No treason it can fear —Itself — its Sovereign — of itselfThe Soul should stand in Awe RELATED: 30 Classic Love Poems That Will Make Her Fall For You
11. “The Liberty we knew Avoided — like a Dream, Too wide for any Night but Heaven If That — indeed — redeem.” — from “A Prison Gets to Be a Friend”
The prison that Dickinson speaks about in this poem can allude to the prison of being trapped at home or to the prison of society. This poem is empathetic to the feeling that there is nothing that can be done without destroying hope for a better tomorrow. A Prison gets to be a friendBetween its Ponderous faceAnd Ours — a Kinsmanship expressAnd in its narrow Eyes We come to look with gratitudeFor the appointed BeamIt deal us — stated as our foodAnd hungered for — the same We learn to know the PlanksThat answer to Our feetSo miserable a sound — at firstNor ever now — so sweet As plashing in the PoolsWhen Memory was a BoyBut a Demurer CircuitA Geometric Joy The Posture of the KeyThat interrupt the DayTo Our Endeavor — Not so realThe Check of Liberty As this Phantasm SteelWhose features — Day and NightAre present to us — as Our OwnAnd as escapeless — quite The narrow Round — the StintThe slow exchange of HopeFor something passiver — ContentToo steep for looking up The Liberty we knewAvoided — like a DreamToo wide for any Night but HeavenIf That — indeed — redeem
12. “Could I but ride indefinite, As doth the Meadow Bee, And visit only where I liked, And No one visit me.” — from “Could I But Ride Indefinite”
There was no stay–at–home order or Disney villain that shut Dickinson away in seclusion, but in her lonely home, she dreams of globetrotting. This poem is good for dreaming of the day when the world reopens. Could I but ride indefiniteAs doth the Meadow BeeAnd visit only where I likedAnd No one visit me And flirt all Day with ButtercupsAnd marry whom I mayAnd dwell a little everywhereOr better, run away With no Police to followOr chase Him if He doTill He should jump PeninsulasTo get away from me — I said “But just to be a Bee"Upon a Raft of AirAnd row in Nowhere all Day longAnd anchor “off the Bar” What Liberty! So Captives deemWho tight in Dungeons are.
13. “So from the mould, Scarlet and Gold, Many a Bulb will rise.” — from “So From the Mould”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This poem is watching the exciting bloom of spring! Life rises from the dead again, and although it doesn’t always seem so, the worst times will come to an eventual end. The emotions that Dickinson brings up here is how I imagine it will feel when the time comes. So from the mouldScarlet and GoldMany a Bulb will rise—Hidden away, cunningly,From sagacious eyes.So from CocoonMany a WormLeap so Highland gay,Peasants like me,Peasants like TheeGaze perplexedly!
14. “The Brain is just the weight of God.” — from “The Brain — is Wider Than the Sky —”
Even though we can’t go to many places in the current condition of the country, imagination is limitless. Dickinson chose to seclude herself, but her wanderlust is not lost. When you’re feeling stir-crazy, search for the places in your mind that you have never gone before. The Brain—is wider than the Sky—For—put them side by side—The one the other will containWith ease—and you—beside— The Brain is deeper than the sea—For—hold them—Blue to Blue—The one the other will absorb—As sponges—Buckets—do— The Brain is just the weight of God—For—Heft them—Pound for Pound—And they will differ—if they do—As Syllable from Sound—
15. “I think to Live — may be a Bliss, To those who dare to try.” — from “I Think to Live — May Be a Bliss”
Despite her reclusive lifestyle, Dickinson writes often about seizing the day. She does as she pleases and is her own person no matter the societal pressures put upon her to be somebody else. I think to Live — may be a BlissTo those who dare to try —Beyond my limit to conceive —My lip — to testify — I think the Heart I former woreCould widen — till to meThe Other, like the little BankAppear — unto the Sea — I think the Days — could every oneIn Ordination stand —And Majesty — be easier —Than an inferior kind — No numb alarm — lest Difference come —No Goblin — on the Bloom —No start in Apprehension’s Ear,No Bankruptcy — no Doom — But Certainties of Sun —Midsummer — in the Mind —A steadfast South — upon the Soul —Her Polar time — behind — The Vision — pondered long —So plausible becomesThat I esteem the fiction — real —The Real — fictitious seems — How bountiful the Dream —What Plenty — it would be —Had all my Life but been MistakeJust rectified — in Thee
16. “To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need.” — from “Success is Counted Sweetest”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Dickinson reminds us that success and well–being hits different after adversity. Success is counted sweetestBy those who ne’er succeed.To comprehend a nectarRequires sorest need.Not one of all the purple HostWho took the Flag todayCan tell the definitionSo clear of victoryAs he defeated – dying –On whose forbidden earThe distant strains of triumphBurst agonized and clear!
17. “But I tug childish at my bars Only to fail again!” — from “I Never Hear the Word ‘Escape’”
This poem lets you feel your feelings about being stuck. Even when you know it is for the best or that you will eventually find your way forward, you’re still allowed to feel those less than pleasant feelings about it. I never hear the word “Escape”Without a quicker blood,A sudden expectation –A flying attitude!I never hear of prisons broadBy soldiers battered down,But I tug childish at my barsOnly to fail again!
18. “Please to tell a little Pilgrim Where the place called ‘Morning’ lies!” — from “Will There Really Be a ‘Morning’”
In this poem, Dickinson is waiting for a new change to come. She feels stuck in her secluded life and is looking for something to inspire her. Will there really be a ‘Morning’?Is there such a thing as ‘Day’?Could I see it from the mountainsIf I were as tall as they?Has it feet like Water lilies?Has it feathers like a Bird?Is it brought from famous countriesOf which I have never heard?Oh some Scholar! Oh some Sailor!Oh some Wise Men from the skies!Please to tell a little PilgrimWhere the place called ‘Morning’ lies!
19. “Assent and you are sane, Demur - you’re straightway dangerous, And handled with a Chain” — from “Much Madness is Divinest Sense”
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons In difficult times, it can be easy to start to feel a little crazy. But, as Dickinson points out, those spells of madness can create clarity. Much Madness is divinest Sense —To a discerning Eye —Much Sense — the starkest Madness —’Tis the MajorityIn this, as all, prevail —Assent — and you are sane —Demur — you’re straightway dangerous —And handled with a Chain —
20. “There’s a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons - That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes.” — from “There’s a Certain Slant of Light”
In stillness, ordinary objects and sights take on a new meaning. They can remind us of past people, feelings, and events and provide new insights. Dickinson reflects upon her beliefs and emotions by staring at light coming in through a window. There’s a certain Slant of light,Winter Afternoons –That oppresses, like the HeftOf Cathedral Tunes –Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –We can find no scar,But internal difference –Where the Meanings, are –None may teach it – Any –‘Tis the seal Despair –An imperial afflictionSent us of the Air –When it comes, the Landscape listens –Shadows – hold their breath –When it goes, ’tis like the DistanceOn the look of Death – RELATED: 13 Times Poet Charles Bukowski Made Us Weak In The Knees Colleen Fogarty is a writer who covers self-care, astrology, and relationship topics.
