I don’t know if this is controversial, but I’ve found after reading Emily Dickinson’s poetry in depth for the first time (besides the few poems in school/on Pinterest I’ve read) that I enjoy reading her letters more. Maybe I’ve gotten so used to Whitman’s long lines that I have been indoctrinated into liking longer lines more than short ones. The complex, image dense, and emotional letters make me feel like I’m “touching” Dickinson through the paper (Whitman style). Every word feels like it belongs, like every word was specially chosen after much deliberation. Yet, the words don’t feel forced. It doesn’t feel like the letters are trying too hard, or trying to be something they’re not. They’re also sooo image dense, from start to finish I am fully enthralled. It could also be the mildly taboo nature of reading someone’s personal writings. Who knows!