dickinson

The Soul selects her own Society--
Then--shuts the Door --
To her divine Majority --
Present no more--

Unmoved --she notes the Chariots--pausing
At her low Gate --
Unmoved --an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat --

I've known her--from an ample nation --
Choose One --
Then--close the Valves of her attention--
Like Stone --

-303 - emily dickinson

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My favourite poem from one of my favourite poets, Emily Dickinson. I am by no means an excellent connoisseur of poetry, but I really do enjoy certain styles. I'm always for those that have excellent meaning behind their works, ones that really think beyond the confines of text. I enjoy poets that disregard grammar, push the limitations of words and meanings so that there are layers of knowledge compacted into a single word, poets that disassemble language and construct their own view of it.

I have always loved this poem because it uses solipsism, which is basically a way of saying it's extremely self-absorbed. I often think of myself as a single, insubstantial link in a vast network of people, yet I've always wondered what it would be like to find yourself at the center of the matter, where everything revolves around you. Here is Dickinson as the Sun, as the center of the earth, as God. Emperors kneel to her, chariots pause in her respect before being admitted. It's fascinating how perspective is so important. As Kanye said, "Your attitude determines your latitude." Elevate yourself beyond everyone else and you will find that nobody else but yourself sees you that way. Place yourself the lowest of lows and you will find that you may belong there.

So important to be humble in this world, no matter how high you may feel you are. There will always be people above you and below you - your fit in society is determined not by how you see yourself in your mind's eye, but how everyone else sees you. Work hard, yet be a nice guy; people will respect you all the much more. Nobody can hate if you've done your homework yet still help other people with theirs.