Photo of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
This copy of a daguerreotype shows Emily at age 17. She disliked it so much
that she later claimed it didn't exist. It is the only known portrait of the great
American poet, who lived most of her life in a Federalstyle mansion in Amherst,
built on Main Street, by her Grandfather.
She wrote in an upstairs bedroom. Her poems ranged from whimsical lyrics
to profound laments with existential overtones.

Here is an example of her lighter side:

The Pedigree of Honey
Does not concern the bee--
A Clover at any time, to him,
Is Aristocrary.

Then these lines about love, which are among the most poignant lyrics written in
English.

Parting is all we knnow of heaven,
and all we need of hell.