Last weekend we visited Emily Dickinson's house in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is beautiful and the staff is knowledgeable. My favorite detail was the pine cone placed on each chair where visitors may not sit. The Dickinson poem after the photos seems appropriate since the table where Hope is dining will only seat one.
Hope
Hope is a subtle glutton;
He feeds upon the fair;
And yet, inspected closely,
What abstinence is there!
His is the halcyon table
That never seats but one,
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amounts remain.
Emily Dickinson
13 comments:
How awesome that you got to see Emily's home. I watched the Apple + series Dickinson and really enjoyed it. Her poetry is timeless.
Thanks for sharing this--I love the pine cones. Italy might need to do something soon with its statues :<(
Hi wonderful Ruth. Sending appreciations for your ED House visit, which sounds nourishing. The images give us an, as if we were there, feeling & I'm with you about the ah, ha! moment, seeing the subtle Keep Off pine cone. An Emily vibe surely.
I just last evening found out about a novel that is well-received, centering on the idea of a young Irish woman worker in the ED home. Here is a a url from Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55873258-emily-s-house
Sending wishes your way for a peaceful summer of bliss moments such as the ED. house visit.
Jan/Bookseedstudio
How lovely, Ruth. I didn't know this hope poem of Emily's, only the one that begins "Hope is the thing with feathers," so thank you for that. I also love the pinecones on the chairs. So unique.
Ruth, how fun that Hope poem is. How have a never read that before? Such powerful thoughts about hope. "And whatsoever is consumed / The same amounts remain." I love this! I'm glad you got to go to Emily Dickinson's house. It looks like a bright and airy place.
Isn't it amazing to imagine her inspiration from these spaces??? Very fun to share them in your photos. Thank you, Ruth!
How wonderful! I went to Amherst when my kids were tiny (too small to take them to Emily Dickinson's home). I need to go back! I heard you can rent her desk to write there. An interesting (and perhaps expensive, though I don't know) place to get inspiration.
Would love to go there! I've also wanted to go to Robert Frost's house. What Marcie says about being able to rent her desk is interesting. I think it would be like having an overly beautiful blank notebook -- too much pressure on what you're writing!
Like Denise, I am happy that the same amounts remain. xo
Oh, I would love to visit. What a treasure. I think the pinecones on chairs is clever.
Ruth, I am glad you had a wonderful literary experience in ED's house. It looks quaint and welcoming. Thank you for the ED poem on hope. It is not familiar to me.
What a fun place to visit!
And that poem about hope is new to me. Lots to think about. Hope as a glutton and yet abstinent. Whatever is consumed balanced by what remains. I guess the big message is that hope never runs out. For that, I am grateful.
I too am glad hope is still l there, as,
"whatsoever is consumed
The same amounts remain."
Thanks for taking us there with you, Dickinson is a favorite of mine– I just wrote a poem this week between her and I. Hope you are enjoying your travels, thanks!
I love this. It's silly, but I'm a little startled that such a mysterious, brilliant personality churned out so much amazing poetry in such an ordinary looking house.
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