Poetry Pairs, 4
3 by Emily Dickinson & The Yellow Wall-Paper
Hello, Poetry Friend
Back in 2020 I made a poetry pairing that changed my relationship with a poet. I paired Emily Dickinson (whose poetry had always intimidated me) with Charlotte Perkins Gillman's classic spooky feminist story, The Yellow Wall-Paper.
I'd never heard of the novella until my daughter, an English teacher, told me about it. Then I led an online book club for Sara Barkat's graphic novel edition of the tale, and my posts are included in Reading the Yellow Wall-Paper Graphic Novel.
As I sat down to write, some of Dickinson’s best-known poems stood up like yellow daisies and waved at me until I paid attention. Surely that poet knew yellow.
Here's part of my introduction:
"The classic picture of Emily Dickinson, the one you’ve seen, has a triangle of yellow in the top right corner. It’s as if the iconic American poet is looking at us through a hole in the wallpaper. Perhaps she is.
The unnamed narrator in the story is a woman who has recently had a baby. Her husband, a doctor, has sent her away for what was known in 1892 as "the rest cure," which meant no walking, no exerting, no creating. But this is a woman who — like me, and perhaps, like you, poetry friend, — must create. So she creates from the one thing she has: yellow wall-paper.
It’s a pairing that made me love Dickinson.
Dear friend, Emily and Charlotte are calling to you from the wallpaper, whispering that hope is the thing with feathers, that you must tell all the truth but tell it slant, and that much madness is diviniest sense. Come out, come out! Wherever you are. And write!
Poetry Journal
Read one of Emily Dickinson’s poems: “Hope” is the thing with feathers, or Tell all the truth but tell it slant, or Much Madness is divinest Sense.
Jot down what you notice, what you like, what you don’t, what questions you have, and at least one way in which the poem speaks to you.
Read the poem aloud every day for a week. (Until I share the next poem, on Wednesday.) Is a pairing arising?
Write your own poem about one of the three I referenced and the new association is has for you. If you like, email me what you write.
You can read all about my Dickinson poetry pairings in Reading The Yellow Wall-Paper Graphic Novel. More information is also at meganwillome.com.
