Emily Dickinson’s poem “I taste a liquor never brewed” uses the metaphor of intoxication to express unbounded joy in nature and the divine. She envisions an otherworldly ⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “I cannot live with You” explores the profound tension between earthly affection and spiritual devotion. The speaker, addressing a beloved, conveys⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “A narrow Fellow in the Grass” is a compelling reflection on the startling experience of encountering a snake in the natural world. At first glance⋯ Read the full article

In this poem, Emily Dickinson depicts a seemingly ordinary moment—a bird moving along a path—yet infuses it with a sense of wonder and tension. The speaker quietly observ⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “This is my letter to the World” is a brief yet powerful reflection on isolation, communication, and the poet’s desire to be understood. Dickinson ⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain” offers a striking portrayal of internal turmoil. The funeral metaphor becomes a vivid representation of a psycholog⋯ Read the full article

In this poem, Emily Dickinson highlights the paradoxical relationship between failure and the true value of success. The opening lines suggest that victory is most deeply⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s “Wild nights—Wild nights!” expresses fervent desire and spiritual longing through the metaphor of a tumultuous sea voyage. In this brief yet vibrant poe⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” playfully challenges societal norms around fame, reputation, and self-promotion. From the opening lines, the speaker pro⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” reflects on the unwavering and enduring nature of hope in the human soul. Dickinson uses the imagery of a small b⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died” offers a startlingly intimate look at a person’s final moments of life. Rather than describing grand or dramatic r⋯ Read the full article

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death” presents a calm, almost courteous depiction of life’s final transition. Rather than a grim or terrifying figur⋯ Read the full article

Part 19 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” opens with a celebratory “meal” laid out for all people, regardless of moral standing or social status. In this sweeping declar⋯ Read the full article

In Part 18 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” the poet proclaims his refusal to celebrate only the victors of life. He calls forth music—a metaphorical fanfare of cornet⋯ Read the full article

In Part 17 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” the poet underscores the idea that his words merely give voice to truths we all hold. He insists that if these lines are no⋯ Read the full article