IF YOU WERE COMING IN THE FALL
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) published fewer than a
dozen poems during her lifetime. Her experience of
editorial changes discouraged her from seeking
publication for more of her writing. She lived almost
her entire life (except for a brief period of study at
Mount Holyoke Female Seminary) in her parents’
home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She rarely left
home and was even reluctant to greet guests. Only
after her death were her hidden volumes of poetry
discovered by her younger sister. These, too, were
heavily edited when first released. In 1955, her
original, unaltered work was finally published. Since
then, her critical reputation as one of America’s most
significant poets has remained unchallenged. She is
noted for her unconventional use of punctuation and
capitalization, unique rhythm, and slant rhyme.