Dear Emily



You wrote with
a perfect pen,
gentle words
to raise kindred thought
from disillusionment’s grave.

Dear Emily,
Was it with God’s pen you spoke
or a sinner’s hand who knew redemption?

Your silence leaves me without an amen.


©Susie Clevenger 2012
dVerse ~ Poet's Pub ~ Open Link Night ~ Week 63

Comments

Janet Martin said…

stunningly beautiful and evocative!
August 18, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Anonymous said…
How beautiful this poem is.
August 19, 2012 at 4:20 AM
Fireblossom said…
I think that she would like your question and your poem, Susie.
August 19, 2012 at 9:49 AM
Geraldine said…
A beautiful and touching tribute to a great artist.
August 19, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Susie Swanson said…
Yes she would love this.. She was a grand lady and you're right up there as well..Blessings
August 19, 2012 at 5:55 PM
Victoria said…
Emily has been the subject of so many poems and the source of so many questions. Wouldn't you love to sit down to a cup of tea with her and talk it all out?
September 25, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Daydreamertoo said…
I think it was probably a bit of both God's hand and a sinner's redemption and, I do think she was be pleased to know that she provoked the thoughts and questions.
Beautiful.
September 25, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Brian Miller said…
a shiver on the last line...but i do think she would appreciate it as well...lovely verse susie...
September 25, 2012 at 5:52 PM
colleen said…
Very haunting. I want to write to Emily too.
September 25, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Other Mary said…
Wonderful - love that last line!
September 25, 2012 at 6:28 PM
Mary said…
If only she would have shared more. But then again, after someone passes away, we always think about things we wished we knew.
September 25, 2012 at 7:40 PM
mrs mediocrity said…
yes, a fabulous tribute... so evocative!
September 25, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Steve King said…
Spare, beautiful...a wonderful transparent voice to bring this home!
September 25, 2012 at 8:32 PM
Unknown said…
The voice rings clear as a bell and leaves that echo of rumination. Very nicely done!
September 25, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Claudia said…
wish she could read it...this really honors her..
September 25, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Unknown said…
terrific write, love the personal conversation aspect here, quite the tribute. Thanks
September 26, 2012 at 2:17 AM
James Rainsford said…
Great tribute. I love her poetry.
September 26, 2012 at 4:15 AM
Tigerbrite said…
Lovely tribute:)
September 26, 2012 at 7:26 AM
ayala said…
Great tribute. Great ending.
September 26, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Uneven Stephen said…
Nice. Makes me want to sit down and read some Emily Dickinson.
September 26, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Ginny Brannan said…
"Was it with God’s pen you spoke
or a sinner’s hand who knew redemption?"

I love these lines, the answer to which we alone must decide, as we will know from her in this lifetime.
Another New England Poet, Emily lived just up the road a piece from me, in the lovely little college town of Amherst, MA. She and Robert Frost are two of my favorites.
September 26, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Anonymous said…
What a poetic tribute...short, sharp...but saying a lot....I've never read her poems (I don't think)- but now I will.....that close is immense
September 26, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Beth Winter said…
A beautiful tribute for a beautiful poet. Truly enjoyed.
September 26, 2012 at 8:05 PM
Anonymous said…
sad ending.

poets differ, glad to see you think seriously about her.
September 27, 2012 at 8:26 AM
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said…
A beautiful tribute. I love Emily.
October 2, 2012 at 5:28 AM
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