Who is Emily Dickinson?

Emily Dickinson is also an American poet. She lived in the 19th century and in later life, she rarely left her room. Most of her friendships were developed by correspondence. This morning in class I read her short poem, There is No Frigate Like a Book, and I feel a little less sad about her lonely life when I think about the words in this poem - maybe she had all the company and adventure she needed in the books that she read. I was looking for a poem for intermediate students to say aloud together before a read aloud of the class novel. But I found a term I love - "prancing poetry" - that I think students would enjoy as well. I can imagine inviting students to build their own collections of "prancing poetry" and I can think of some old favourites that they might add, such as "The Highwayman". But that's another post! Here is a link to another of Emily Dickinson's poems that I like, "Hope" is the thing-with-feathers. It makes me think how the arts are a comfort for people when they are lonely or going through a hard time.