! ! Emily Dickinson Takes A Poetry Course

Dear Ms Dickinson: I’ve just received your amusing little trifle, 'Faith is a fine invention' as your first week's homework on this course.. and hope that as your designated docent (you may of course request a change..) we may establish a relationship that’s full of ‘ mellow fruitfulness’ – as John Keats (1795-1821) would put it.. First, may I say that it’s more interesting for the reader, not to use the first line of your poem –especially one so short – as the title…something more intriguing perhaps? such as – in this case, ‘Natural Science’? I have a feeling that you have within you much more to say on this theme (already well covered by the poets, did you know?) than this whimsical – if pertinent – short verse… Thus it’s best for the poet as beginner not to attempt the succinct ‘apercu’ (I hope you understand a little French?) of such as our more resonant senior 'gentlemen'..… I do question the use of ‘invention’ in the first line; however, I think I detect a hint of emulating William Blake’s poetic stance here? Now, in these days of sexual equality it would be best, I think, not to use ‘Gentlemen’… are there not lady biologists and preachers? ... and we don’t now use those capital letters so beloved of our German poets… Your setting-off of science against religion is alas, so easily overdone; especially in the context of so short a verse.. and ‘Microscopes are prudent’ is, I have to say, not the most evocative of phrases; even though poetic compaction is a worthy aim… Nor is it clear what ‘Emergency’ it is, to which you might refer – microscopes are, I feel, an image of less urgent study? However, Miss Dickinson, I suspect that you have a confident personal voice which we shall hope to bring out? I shall not discuss the other verse which you include: its punctuation of unseemly dashes reads so breathless that one may hardly bestow the designation ‘poesy’ upon it.. However I look forward to your next week’s homework, Miss Dickinson – may I suggest something a little longer for your next poetic venture? There are many themes out there, even for the single lady? Yrs, E. Doolittle BA (Hons)