Hmm…I suspect by now y’all have been talking amongst yourselves trying to figure out what to get me for Christmas. Well, fret not! I’ve found the perfect gift – the three volume set of Mabel Loomis Todd’s first series of “Poems” by Emily Dickinson, first published in 1890, 1891, and 1896. It’s only $75,000.00 – or best offer – and shipping is just $6.00! I promise – I’ll act surprised when I open the festively wrapped box1 (Or do you think it best to wrap the books individually?) |
So how are there 116 poems?
On page 9 of the book – before the poems in the first section, “Life,” begin, Mabel Loomis Todd included a single poem as a prelude as to what was to come: “This is my letter to the World.”
For the most part, the poem appeared as it was written except for editorial changes to the punctuation, and it served as an ideal opening to the book and a perfect introduction of Dickinson to the world!