New Poems of Emily Dickinson

by William H. Shurr (Editor), William Shurr, Anna Dunlap

Gathers hundreds of poems gleaned from Emily Dickinson's letters

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction, 19th Century, Literary Criticism, American, Literature

136 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 1993

Reviews

[Sparrow .]

New Poems of Emily Dickinson -- a bold title! -- by William H. Shurr, with Anna Dunlap and Emily Grey Shurr, offers hundreds of new poems found within Emily's correspondence. Many of them are "fourteeners": a line of iambic tetrameter followed by a line of iambic trimeter. New Poems was published in 1993, and I recently spent a year obsessively reading it.

Emily Dickinson has a matchless, branching mind. Questions about her mostly return unanswered. Her secretive life repels investigative prying. In a sense, this entire book is an unanswered question: "Did Emily secrete poems within her letters, disguised as ordinary lines?" I find the book generally unconvincing, but never wrong.

We must be less than Death,
to be lessened by it --
for nothing is irrevocable
but ourselves.

That's the piece Shurr calls "poem number 266." But is it exactly a poem? I would say no. But neither is it a non-poem. Just as Leonardo da Vinci's sketches are more engaging than his paintings, because they show his tumultuous, exacting thoughts, Emily's fugitive lines are more intimate than her poems:

To be certain we were to meet our Lost,
would be a Vista of reunion,
who of us could bear?

That's 317. (Aren't those commas electrifying?)

Though she lived in increasing isolation, she sounds like a ceaseless traveler:

I trust you may have the dearest summer
possible to Loss --
One sweet sweet more -- One liquid more --
of that Arabian presence!

(Number 288.) Emily is one of the great American inventors, like Thomas Edison and B. F. Goodrich. She is not so much writing poems as reimagining poetry's future.

Would success have wrecked Emily? Possibly. If she'd had an audience, she might have diluted her brave metaphysical wit for the shopowners and dentists who read her. Instead, she had the recklessness of the finest rappers:

Ya know, some of these niggaz is so deceptive,
Usin my styles like a contraceptive.
I hope ya get burnt, it seems ya haven't learnt:
It's the nick nack patty wack, I still got the bigger sack;
So put your gun away, run away, cuz I'm back.
Hit 'em up, get 'em up, spit 'em up, now
Tell me what's goin' on...

Could I visit the Beds
of my own who sleep,
as reprovelessly,
even Night were sweet --

That's "Doggy Dog World" by Snoop Doggy Dogg, followed by (the last four lines) number 417.

[Guada Alonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este no es el poemario que leí, es otro de Emily dickinson que tiene traducción en ingles-español, como no encontré ese libro en goodreads busque uno que tenía la misma cantidad de páginas y era de Emily dickinson.

Como sea voy a decir que me pareció de el libro "Emily Dickinson poemas" de la editorial "visor poesias"

La traducción me pareció bastante mala en algunos poemas, y eso que tengo un ingles muy básico y en los poemas de E.D tiene un vocabulario muy complejo en ingles.
La puntuación y distribución de las estrofas me parecieron malas en algunos poemas en español. El libro salio muy caro para lo que es pero ahora voy a hablar de los poemas puntualmente.

Conocí a Emily dickinson por su serie 'Dickinson' y ame la serie, a Emily y a sus poemas. Sus poemas son tan diferentes, raramente hay rimas, yo amo las rimas pero me decepciono un poco de que no haya.
Las comparaciones y como ella romantiza absolutamente toda su vida, el dramatismo que hay en los poemas es HERMOSO.

Sus poemas me hacen sentir miles de cosas y los mejores poemas son los que hablan sobre la muerte. Algunos poemas me costaron entenderlos porque son muy subjetivos o filosóficos con palabras que no conocía.

Pero los poemas son fascinantes como dije, como relaciona sus sentimientos y lo que piensa del mundo con elementos de la naturaleza. Puede relacionar la muerte con una mosca y el amor con una perla en el fondo del mar.

Ella y sos poemas me inspiran y me hacen querer romantizar mí vida, disfrutar cada partícula de aire que respiro.

No se si la historia sobre su romance con su cuñada "Susan" fue real, pero muchos poemas los relacione con esa relación que pudo haber tenido.

Esa mujer era avanzada para su época, una feminista en su máximo explendor, una mujer llena de imaginación, inteligente y hermosa escritora. Me da rabia pensar que nunca se publicaron sus poemas mientras estaba viva, porque sus poemas los escribió entre 1855-1870 (son años aproximados, no me culpen si no es tan así), en esa época, como sabemos, las mujeres no podían publicar sus historias o poemas o lo que sea porque eran vistas como objetos y no solían trabajar, menos como escritoras.

La mujer que escribió estos poemas, es una mujer fuerte que admiro y con la información que se tiene de ella y sus poemas puedo hasta sentir que la conozco.

[Roxie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a comment on Emily Dickinson's poetry but on the entitled editing of the volume. There were some interest insights, but overall I disliked the tone and the work done. I'm just not sure I can get on board with this revision of material the author didn't even meant to present as such. I am aware there is a case to be made in favor of it, but I do not think I particularly enjoy it.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

p.34 "Nothing in her Life became her/ like its last event" (882).
p.38 "You asked me if I wrote now?/ I have no other playmate -" (513).
p.52 "Do not try to be saved -/ but let Redemption find you -/ as it certainly will -."
p.66 "The quicker deceit dies,/ the better for the truth."

[Madi Badger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of these poems really beautiful, however I don’t know how much I agree that every single excerpt from Dickinson’s letters that the author(s) included actually are poems. I think her writing is poetic in nature but I think that makes it a bit different from being a poem. Regardless, this book was still very interesting.

[Daisy Dandelion · Rating 3 out of 5]

People (like me) who know nothing about Emily Dickinson's poetry, or poetry in general, will find this book reads like a textbook explaining just that.
Fantastic collection of writings that were previously not identified as poetry or prose.

[Ninoska · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting, it was like an analysis of different styles of poetry Emily wrote and were not included in The Complete Poems, and how most of them were put into letters by herself or how some writings from some letters can be considered poetry as well<333

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"New Poems of Emily Dickinson" is a captivating collection showcasing the poet's lesser-known works. The paperback edition reveals Dickinson's profound connection with nature, love, and mortality. Each poem reflects her unique style, characterized by short lines, unconventional punctuation, and deep imagery. This collection offers readers an intimate glimpse into Dickinson's contemplative world, where ordinary moments are imbued with extraordinary meaning. Perfect for both longtime fans and newcomers, these poems highlight her innovative approach to poetry. The book is a testament to her enduring influence, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is its own rescue, for we - at our supremest, are but its trembling Emblems - (522)

Easily the best read of the year so far. Dickinson’s letters contain poems that are “disguised as prose” (Shurr, Editor). It is a unique ability to provide a form of meditation in disguise, to create an ostensible maze of meaning so simply written as to render it complete.

Inspiring, the most accessible writing of what at its time was deemed “avant grade” , has proved to be a wonderful delight, as “absolute as ether”.

I think of my love, my pain, life…and I think I might even begin to understand it all - or at least, desire to connect to it.

[mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

yo tengo un poema:

si no hay nada que decir
ni nada de que hablar
no hace faaaalta explicarte
que guardas todos los secretos
de mi vida y de mis sueños si los sabeeesss

(ERES LA ÚNICA CANCIÓN QUE SIEMPRE ESCRIBIREEE SINTIENDO MIS LATIDOOOS CADA PALABRA CADA NOTA Q ME DAS ME HACE SENTIR QUE ESTOY CONTIGOOO)

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really liked about this collection is the detailed explanation of each different type of poetry at the beginning of each chapter. Understanding the type of poetry helped me to enjoy the poems better. This is a short collection and a good introduction to Emily Dickinson's poetry.

[Isabella Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[alice is trying · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe my experience was hindered by having read this translated but i mean... liked it, that’s all

[Lente Guilliams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand the hype of Emily Dickison. No hate at all. I just don't see what is so special about her poems compared to other poems.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despised the format and this particular translation, but I loved the poems.

[sparkleseven · Rating 2 out of 5]

tengo que buscar más contexto

[Ellen Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often wonder what Emily woudl think if she knew how popular her poems were today. She didn't create to perform or out of ego. Simply to be and to process and to feel. So much wisdom there

[dl.bug ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t know what to do with my heart.
I dare not take it,
I dare not leave it-
What do you advise?”

[Aline Kho · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 𖤐

[Defne · Rating 3 out of 5]

More analysis needed

[EvaLovesYA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Dickinson will always be the light in my darkness.
It's as simple as that!

[Katherine Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Dickinson has been a personal favorite of mine since a young age. Her odd habits and obscurity were a source of interest and contemplation to me. I had read many of her poems, but never sat and really studied her works until this book.
I felt that the compilation was very well done. Background information and research was very clear and well done. Some of the "new poems" were a bit odd and I question their being considered a poem, but either way it was a very interesting presentation of the writer.
Many of her poems held deep meaning for me and through hours of study, I found a lot to be loved and admired in her work. It was also interesting to read of the progress she made as a writer through her letter writing.
Overall, it was a very interesting and worthwhile study and I would encourage any lover of poetry to check out the book. It is definitely one that I could see myself reading several times over.

[Rheanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily Dickinson's New Poems taught me the power that can be injected into a poem as short as four or five words. Her miraculous talent to pose something incredibly witty or inquisitive and thoughtful so quickly blows me away. This technique can be applied not only to poetry - I'm positive that it would also help in my prose writing to tighten up and rid myself of "showing not telling".

[Sasha]

Unsure how to evaluate this book, as it's not exactly a scholarly work, not quite lit crit, not quite a collection of poetry....but hey, it's Emily Dickinson!

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of "new" poems from Emily Dickinson's letters. Academic, but interesting.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickinson is amazing!