22 Absolutely Breathtaking Emily Dickinson Quotes

Emily Dickinson is my father’s favorite poet, and I’ve always meant to read her poetry. But it was only recently that I really immersed myself in her words. Nearly every one spoke to me, and so I have compiled this list of Emily Dickinson quotes, taken from her poems (and one letter). All images link to prints for sale on Etsy.

Emily Dickinson Quotes on Love

Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain, For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain   You love me—you are sure— I shall not fear mistake— I shall not cheated wake— Some grinning morn— To find the Sunrise left— And Orchards—unbereft— And Dollie—gone!   Wild Nights—Wild Nights! Were I with thee Wild Nights should be Our luxury!   We are the only poets, and everyone else is prose. —from a letter to Susan  

Emily Dickinson Quotes on Hope

“Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all—   Either the Darkness alters— Or something in the sight Adjusts itself to Midnight— And Life steps almost straight.  

Emily Dickinson Quotes on Grief

I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes— I wonder if It weights like Mine— Or has an Easier size.   I tried to think a lonelier Thing Than any I had seen—   There is a pain—so utter— It swallows substance up—   There is a Languor of the Life More imminent than Pain— ‘Tis Pain’s Successor—When the Soul Has suffered all it can—  

Emily Dickinson Quotes on Death

Death sets a Thing significant The Eye had hurried by Except a perished Creature Entreat us tenderly   Because I could not stop for Death— He kindly stopped for me— The Carriage held but just Ourselves— And Immortality   Behind Me—dips Eternity— Before Me—Immortality— Myself—the Term between— Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray Dissolving into Dawn away— Before the West begin—   The last Night that She lived It was a Common Night Except the Dying—this to Us Made Nature different   There’s been a Death, in the Opposite House As lately as Today— I know it, by the numb look Such Houses have—alway—  

Emily Dickinson Quotes on Nature

The Birds declaim their Tunes— Pronouncing every word Like Hammers—Did they know they fell Like Litanies of Lead   The Spider holds a Silver Ball In unperceived Hands— And dancing softly to Himself His Yarn of Pearl—unwinds—   A Spider sewed at Night Without a Light Upon an Arc of White   Had I not seen the Sun I could have borne the shade   Winter under cultivation Is as arable as Spring  

More Emily Dickinson Quotes

I dwell in Possibility— A fairer House than Prose— More numerous of — Superior—for Doors— Forever—is composed of Nows— ‘Tis not a different time— Except for Infiniteness— And Latitude of Home—  

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Looking for more Emily Dickinson? Try Emily Dickinson Swag. Want more poetry art? Try these 15 Gorgeous Prints. Need more quotes in your life? Try the Poetry category or check out these 30 Quotes About Poetry.