15 Most Popular Poems by Emily Dickinson

    1 - 10 of 15

  • A Narrow Fellow In The Grass

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Nature Poems

    When the poem was published in the Springfield Daily Republican (Feb. 14, 1866), it was entitled "The Snake."

    A narrow fellow in the grass
    Occasionally rides;
    You may have met him,--did you not,
    His notice sudden is.

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 406
    • Favorited 3
    • Votes 97
    • Rating 3.78
  • After Great Pain, A Formal Feeling Comes

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Death Poems

    A poem about emotional pain and grief, the body and minds reactions to terrible news. "After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes" is a poem by Emily Dickinson about coping with intense emotional pain. The poet describes their numbed emotional state following a traumatic event. Dickinson uses metaphors and imagery to paint a vivid picture of the speaker's emotional detachment. The use of rhyme and a tight meter gives the poem a musical quality, emphasizing the speaker's numbness. It can be interpreted as Dickinson's own coping mechanism after experiencing a loss, but also applies to the reader's personal experiences and emotional numbness.

    After great pain a formal feeling comes--
    The nerves sit ceremonious like tombs;
    The stiff Heart questions--was it He that bore?
    And yesterday--or centuries before?

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 590
    • Favorited 13
    • Votes 314
    • Rating 3.89
  • One Sister Have I In Our House

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Family Poems

    This poem is about Emily Dickinson's sister-in-law, Susan. Emily lived with her sister, Lavinia, ("One Sister have I in our house"), and she had a sister-in-law, Susan, her brother Austin's wife, who lived next door, ("one a hedge away"). "There's only one recorded" (Lavinia is her only biological sister). "But both belong to me" (she considers Susan to be a sister too, although they are actually sisters-in-law).

    One Sister have I in our house,
    And one, a hedge away.
    There's only one recorded,
    But both belong to me.

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 348
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 117
    • Rating 3.91
  • Before The Ice Is In The Pools

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Holiday Poems

    Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived from 1830-1886. The first volume of her poetry was not published until four years after her death. In this poem, it’s not clear what the speaker was waiting for, but some believe it could be Sue, Emily’s sister-in-law. They spent many years corresponding with each other but had moments of estrangement. Some believe this poem also has religious and spiritual references to touching to cloak of Jesus and crossing over to death. Or it could simply be about waiting for winter to arrive. This poem is composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) that follow the ABCB rhyme scheme.

    Before the ice is in the pools—
    Before the skaters go,
    Or any check at nightfall
    Is tarnished by the snow—

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 609
    • Favorited 6
    • Votes 110
    • Rating 4.04
  • I'm Nobody! Who Are You?

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Funny Poems

    "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" by Emily Dickinson is a playful exploration of anonymity and fame. In this brief but impactful poem, Dickinson celebrates the freedom of being unnoticed and unknown, contrasting it with the burden of public attention. Through witty language and imaginative imagery, she invites readers to consider the value of privacy and the allure of staying hidden in a world that often glorifies fame.

    I'm nobody! Who are you?
    Are you nobody, too?
    Then there 's a pair of us — don't tell!
    They 'd banish us, you know.

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 0
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 5
    • Rating 3.00
  • The Mountain

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Nature Poems

    "The Mountain" by Emily Dickinson depicts the majestic presence of a mountain on the plain. The mountain is a metaphor for a timeless grandfather figure, firmly seated in its eternal chair, and possessing a comprehensive awareness that extends everywhere. The poem further illustrates the mountain's significance by likening it to a revered figure, with the seasons gathering around it like children around a father. The mountain is depicted as a revered ancestor, the originator of each new day's dawn.

    The mountain sat upon the plain
    In his eternal chair,
    His observation omnifold,
    His inquest everywhere.

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 41
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 18
    • Rating 3.94
  • Wild Nights - Wild Nights!

    Famous Poem


    in Famous Love Poems

    "Wild Nights - Wild Nights!" by Emily Dickinson is a passionate expression of desire and longing. In this short yet powerful poem, Dickinson uses the imagery of a wild, untamed night to symbolize intense emotions and romantic yearning. The repetition of the phrase "Wild nights" emphasizes the speaker's excitement and fervor. Dickinson employs vivid language and evocative imagery to convey the intensity of the speaker's longing for love and connection. Despite its brevity, the poem captures the overwhelming nature of romantic passion and the sense of exhilaration that comes with it. Through its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, "Wild Nights - Wild Nights!" remains a timeless exploration of the complexities of love and desire.

    Wild nights - Wild nights!
    Were I with thee
    Wild nights should be
    Our luxury!

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 4
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 11
    • Rating 4.64
  • Dear March - Come In -

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Nature Poems

    Dear March - Come In - by Emily Dickinson is a welcoming ode to the arrival of the month of March. In this brief yet evocative poem, Dickinson personifies March as a cherished guest, inviting it to enter warmly. Through its simple language and gentle tone, the poem captures the anticipation and hope associated with the transition from winter to spring. Dickinson's imagery evokes the awakening of nature and the promise of new beginnings as March heralds the arrival of warmer weather and the renewal of life.

    Dear March—Come in—
    How glad I am—
    I hoped for you before—
    Put down your Hat—

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 38
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 4
    • Rating 3.75
  • Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    Emily Dickinson, born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, is the author of almost 2,000 poems. Only after she died in 1886 were her poems discovered. In this metaphorical poem the bird is a symbol for hope. Hope Is The Thing With Feathers is written in quatrains and uses an ABCB rhyme scheme

    "Hope" is the thing with feathers -
    That perches in the soul -
    And sings the tune without the words -
    And never stops - at all -

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 3342
    • Favorited 49
    • Votes 986
    • Rating 4.28
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    I recited this poem in grade six and it has been an inspiration for me ever since. Wonderful work!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  • A Bird Came Down The Walk

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Nature Poems

    A poem about birds from Emily Dickinson. Considered by many to be one of the best American Poets. What about this poem makes it a classic?

    A bird came down the walk:
    He did not know I saw;
    He bit an angle-worm in halves
    And ate the fellow, raw.

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 2
    • Shares 1782
    • Favorited 11
    • Votes 419
    • Rating 3.99
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    I take walks daily with my dog to visit and hang out with friends. Fall is the prettiest show-off with her colorful jewels! The birds and squirrels play hide and seek within and keep me...

    Read complete story

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (2)

1 - 10 of 15

Back to Top