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A Spicing of Birds: Poems by Emily Dickinson
The bird poems of a revered American poet paired with classic bird illustrations
A Spicing of Birds is a unique and beautifully illustrated anthology, pairing poems from one of America's most revered poets with evocative classic ornithological art. Emily Dickinson had a great love of birds―in her collected poems, birds are mentioned 222 times, sometimes as the core inspiration of the poem. However, in existing anthologies of Dickinson's work, little acknowledgment is made of her close connection to birds. This book contains thirty-seven of Dickinson's poems featuring birds common to New England. Many lesser-known poems are brought to light, renewing our appreciation for Dickinson's work.
The editors' introduction draws extensively from Dickinson's letters, providing fascinating insights into her relationship with birds. The illustrations, by late 18th century to early 20th century artists/ornithologists, are often so apt as to seem to have been created with the poems in mind. Included are beautiful watercolors by Mark Catesby, engravings of John James Audubon's paintings, illustrations by Alexander Wilson, chromo-lithographs by Robert Ridgway (curator of birds at the National Museum for some fifty years), paintings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and some of the earliest bird photographs by Cordelia Stanwood. The editors also discuss the development and growth of birding in the nineteenth century as well as the evolution of field guides and early conservation efforts. Brief biographies of the artists are included in an appendix. This book is an eloquent tribute to the special place held by birds in our lives and imaginations, and will make an ideal gift for both birders and poetry readers.
A Spicing of Birds is a unique and beautifully illustrated anthology, pairing poems from one of America's most revered poets with evocative classic ornithological art. Emily Dickinson had a great love of birds―in her collected poems, birds are mentioned 222 times, sometimes as the core inspiration of the poem. However, in existing anthologies of Dickinson's work, little acknowledgment is made of her close connection to birds. This book contains thirty-seven of Dickinson's poems featuring birds common to New England. Many lesser-known poems are brought to light, renewing our appreciation for Dickinson's work.
The editors' introduction draws extensively from Dickinson's letters, providing fascinating insights into her relationship with birds. The illustrations, by late 18th century to early 20th century artists/ornithologists, are often so apt as to seem to have been created with the poems in mind. Included are beautiful watercolors by Mark Catesby, engravings of John James Audubon's paintings, illustrations by Alexander Wilson, chromo-lithographs by Robert Ridgway (curator of birds at the National Museum for some fifty years), paintings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and some of the earliest bird photographs by Cordelia Stanwood. The editors also discuss the development and growth of birding in the nineteenth century as well as the evolution of field guides and early conservation efforts. Brief biographies of the artists are included in an appendix. This book is an eloquent tribute to the special place held by birds in our lives and imaginations, and will make an ideal gift for both birders and poetry readers.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2010
7 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Emily Dickinson
1,552 books6,829 followersEmily Dickinson was an American poet who, despite the fact that less than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime, is widely considered one of the most original and influential poets of the 19th century.
Dickinson was born to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life. After she studied at the Amherst Academy for seven years in her youth, she spent a short time at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary before returning to her family's house in Amherst. Thought of as an eccentric by the locals, she became known for her penchant for white clothing and her reluctance to greet guests or, later in life, even leave her room. Most of her friendships were therefore carried out by correspondence.
Although Dickinson was a prolific private poet, fewer than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime.The work that was published during her lifetime was usually altered significantly by the publishers to fit the conventional poetic rules of the time. Dickinson's poems are unique for the era in which she wrote; they contain short lines, typically lack titles, and often use slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation.Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality, two recurring topics in letters to her friends.
Although most of her acquaintances were probably aware of Dickinson's writing, it was not until after her death in 1886—when Lavinia, Emily's younger sister, discovered her cache of poems—that the breadth of Dickinson's work became apparent. Her first collection of poetry was published in 1890 by personal acquaintances Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Mabel Loomis Todd, both of whom heavily edited the content.
A complete and mostly unaltered collection of her poetry became available for the first time in 1955 when The Poems of Emily Dickinson was published by scholar Thomas H. Johnson. Despite unfavorable reviews and skepticism of her literary prowess during the late 19th and early 20th century, critics now consider Dickinson to be a major American poet.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/emily-di...
Dickinson was born to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life. After she studied at the Amherst Academy for seven years in her youth, she spent a short time at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary before returning to her family's house in Amherst. Thought of as an eccentric by the locals, she became known for her penchant for white clothing and her reluctance to greet guests or, later in life, even leave her room. Most of her friendships were therefore carried out by correspondence.
Although Dickinson was a prolific private poet, fewer than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime.The work that was published during her lifetime was usually altered significantly by the publishers to fit the conventional poetic rules of the time. Dickinson's poems are unique for the era in which she wrote; they contain short lines, typically lack titles, and often use slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation.Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality, two recurring topics in letters to her friends.
Although most of her acquaintances were probably aware of Dickinson's writing, it was not until after her death in 1886—when Lavinia, Emily's younger sister, discovered her cache of poems—that the breadth of Dickinson's work became apparent. Her first collection of poetry was published in 1890 by personal acquaintances Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Mabel Loomis Todd, both of whom heavily edited the content.
A complete and mostly unaltered collection of her poetry became available for the first time in 1955 when The Poems of Emily Dickinson was published by scholar Thomas H. Johnson. Despite unfavorable reviews and skepticism of her literary prowess during the late 19th and early 20th century, critics now consider Dickinson to be a major American poet.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/emily-di...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 27, 2017
I loved the idea of a book of her bird poems being published in tandem with lithographs and paintings of said birds. However, I wish there would have been more biographical information regarding Dickinson's regard toward the certain birds (other than the poems being featured). I was hoping for more natural history to complement the poet and her writing.
April 24, 2018
3.5 Stars I love birds, and if I’m not reading, one would find me with a pair of binoculars on hiking up a trail in search of a bird to view. So what initially drew me to this very book was the beautiful drawing of a white throated sparrow on the cover ‘A Spicing of Birds’ by James Audubon.Unlike the rest of world, Emily Dickinson isn’t my favorite poet. I knew when I selected her book off the shelf I would not relate to each and every poem but my hope was to find a gem or two which spoke to me, and that is just what I found. If you enjoy poetry, birds, and beautiful art... this just may be the book for you.
October 20, 2021
A really lovely compilation of Dickinson's bird poetry, combined with period illustrations of these delightful little birds. Here's my favorite of the poems.
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I, just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I, just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
January 15, 2023
Ever since I visited Emily Dickinson’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts and had the opportunity to read aloud one of her poems in the very rooms she lived her life in, I feel like she has been following me. Every book I read, even those that seem unrelated, and show I watch mentions her.
So, I decided to lean in and read this beautiful collection of bird poems I purchased from the gift shop. Emily always gets 5 stars, of course, but this particular presentation of her work paired with the avian paintings of her contemporaries is gorgeous.
So, I decided to lean in and read this beautiful collection of bird poems I purchased from the gift shop. Emily always gets 5 stars, of course, but this particular presentation of her work paired with the avian paintings of her contemporaries is gorgeous.
July 28, 2025
I appreciated that the intro gave context that helped me to more deeply enjoy the collection of poems and also...the art is incredible!
August 28, 2025
BIRBS
November 28, 2022
This is a charming book of Emily Dickinson's bird poems illustrated by Audubon and other noted illustrators. I hadn't realized how many poems about specific birds she had written and its lovely to read them next to these gorgeous illustrations.
October 3, 2011
A lovely paper book. Dickenson poem on 1 side and bird portrait on the other. Audubon's prints are far and away better than other artistsAlexander Wilson and Allen Brooks.
Dickinson's word pictures and metaphors are solid enough to chew on. Her signature last word clunk still bothers me, but the rest is so good I persist.
Dickinson's word pictures and metaphors are solid enough to chew on. Her signature last word clunk still bothers me, but the rest is so good I persist.
June 26, 2016
This is a collection of poems about birds by Emily Dickinson. There are beautiful illustrations of birds with every poem which makes it quite a treasure for me. I found some of the poems quite beautiful while others were quite ordinary and bland. Overall happy I read it and will reread for sure...
April 30, 2011
I loved it. Pictures of the birds Emily has written about, very sweet
June 30, 2012
beautiful....
January 25, 2015
Beautiful sampling of Dickinson's bird poems accompanied by classic ornithological art.
January 28, 2015
Dickinson's beautiful poetry about birds, combined with wonderful, classic illustrations of birds. It's a win-win.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews