Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Emily Dickinson is one of those writers whose life is as famous as her writing. After Emily Dickinson died, her sister found nearly two thousand poems in her bureau, all ready for publication. In a surprising number of those poems, Emily Dickinson was writing from beyond the grave. "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Dickinson’s fantasy of getting picked up by the grim reaper, has become standard reading curriculum in English classes across America -- but it’s still a very strange work of art. For our series on American Icons, WBUR's Sean Cole - a poet himself -- took a closer look at Dickinson's legendary work.

Voices in the Story

billy collins

Billy Collins

Former U.S. Poet Laureate

joseph lease

Joseph Lease

Poet and Chair of the MFA Program in Writing at California College of the Arts

Belinda West

Emily Dickinson Portrayer

cindy dickinson

Cindy Dickinson

Director of Programming and Interpretation at the Emily Dickinson Homestead and Museum

Jenny Proctor

Jenny Proctor

College Student/Dickinson fan

Robert Howard

Robert Howard

Writer

Get the Studio 360 Newsletter