Emily Dickinson considers the spark.
A Man may make a Remark –
In itself – a quiet thing
That may furnish the Fuse unto a Spark
In dormant nature – lain –
Let us divide – with skill –
Let us discourse – with care –
Powder exists in Charcoal –
Before it exists in Fire –
Amherst Manuscript #set 92, p. 10, Emily Dickinson Collection, Amherst College Archives & Special Collections.
A poem. In 1862 Dickinson read Thomas Wentworth Higginson’s advice to the aspiring writer: “Charge your style with life…Fight to render your statement clear and attractive.” She sent Higginson four of her poems with the query “Are you too deeply occupied to say if my Verse is alive?” They corresponded for eight years before meeting.
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