Because I couldn't stop for Death ...By Emily Dickinson (Great Poetry Workshop)

Hi Rula,

How did you choose this poem from her prolific collections? This is indeed a smashing poem and a little off the wall, but she was considered eccentric!
The personification of death is clever and she follows through this idea to the last stanza. I like the way she has the theme of death and immortality expressed in quite ordinary terms. In a way, death could be a 'boyfriend' that's calling to collect her. She's sort of expecting him. She also handles these ideas without any reference to religion- considering the time frame (mid 19th century)- is interesting.
I consider this a GREAT poem and she has written (in my opinion, other writes that would qualify for that title.) It is subjective of course. Thanks anyway for sharing this.

Ells :)

Oh this is one I already love, its wistful presence
seduces the mind into the atmosphere of the
ephemeral quality of life, its glimpses of
reality as we pass through on our way
to the inevitable, and the beyond, unknown.

Not only does it seduce the thoughts,
but also our sense of rhythm and rhyme,
as it falls gently off the tongue, like the
floating through the air of ashes from a fire,
ending in the conclusion eternity.
Yes this is eternity in all its greatness.

Great Poem, by a great poet. Ann.

Just wanted to let you know that I agree,
this is a great poem !!!

Richard

I almost wish I'd written this lol. But the imagery ,rhyme, rhythm........all fit together well. The subject is universal and the wording is plain. Also the fact that it's not very long helps make it memorable.

I' think I've said before that I'm not well read in poetry so this IS new to me...............stan

I started to pick one of Emily Dickerson Poem because her poetry are so great. I've heard this poem title before but never read aloud before tonight. I read it twice and I agree it is great one.

I felt like I was in the death carriage driven by horses pass the old house centuries old, the setting sun. superb choice

I've read a lot of Dickinson, even going so far as to do a essay about the sexuality inherent in her work early in my college days. I've loved her since the first poem and still do. I detect a fearlessness that doesn't seem bothered by existential conditions and as a wordsmith she's pretty hard to beat up until at least the confessionals. Great choice of a Great poem.

Ron

Glad you liked it she is awesome writer

A beautiful choice, that a poet can look beyond the horses heads and find an eternity having travelled thus far..
Take care out there,
Yours Ian.T