If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
*Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886) is a major 19th century American poet (or any century!), although she was not accorded this honor until well after her death. Only seven of her poems were published during her lifetime, and very few were published as originally written until the mid 1950s. The slow excavation, celebration, and re-examination of her work began when her younger sister discovered and began to share the verse that Emily left behind. A recluse who almost always wore white (really? I must research this!), Emily was born to a prominent Massachusetts family, spending the bulk of her life inside their home in Amherst. One of the first poems I memorized is hers, ‘I’m Nobody’, and I still know it, repeating it in my head on occasion, often inspired by hearing a big old frog! 😉
I’ve also been thinking a lot about what makes life worth living, which is different for each of us. My goals have changed, settled, matured, ever since I stopped striving and grasping and ‘ambitioning’, which was never really my style, just the accepted convention of the day and culture (“Greed is Good” ~ ugh). For me, a life well-lived includes fresh air, privacy, flowers, time to read and write and cook and talk to my friends, a furry friend, lots of nature, and love in all forms. Chocolate. Other good things abound – but, yeah, simple pleasures are the best. For me.
The photo I sent here as featured is one of Emily with which I was wholly unfamiliar. She’s younger, fuller in her face, less the tight-arsed spinster writer image that usually accompanies her work. And – she’s not wearing white – nor does she in any of the photos I found. Hm. Makes me wonder where that came from?
Thanks for being here, and reading.