Edicts on E. Dicks- A podcast about the Apple TV+ show "Dickinson" and the poems of Emily Dickinson

Happy Valentines Day!  The Dickinsibs resolve their conflict, Austin outs himself as a draft dodger, Mrs. Dickinson hops out of bed to sweep, and Emily reads out loud.  Oh, and I guess she f*cks too.  Meanwhile, Ben and Kyle discuss the inevitable struggles of parenting, horny Shakespeare, and their thoughts on Taylor Swift.  These are the days when Birds come back – A very few – a Bird or two, To take a final look – These are the days when skies resume The old – old sophistries of June – A blue and gold mistake. Oh fraud that cannot cheat the Bee, Almost thy plausibility Induces my belief, Till ranks of seeds their witness bear, And swiftly thro' the altered air Hurries a timid leaf – Oh Sacrament of summer days! Oh last Communion in the Haze – Permit a Child to join – Thy sacred emblems to partake – Thy consecrated bread to take – And thine immortal wine – All the letters I can write Are not fair as this— Syllables of Velvet— Sentences of Plush, Depths of Ruby, undrained, Hid, Lip, for Thee— Play it were a Humming Bird— And just sipped—me—

In a feat of editing, Kyle turned over two and a half hours of meandering meditations on Sylvia Plath, determinism, performative allyship, and whether or not true revolution can happen by playing by the rules of the system (spoiler alert: Nope.) into this episode. Obviously, we had a lot to say about Dickinson's "The Future never spoke," written by Ziwe and Alena Smith and directed by Heather Jack. Mainly: it rules. Omitted topics include: Scheherazade and the Hunger Games, even more drug discussion, a brief history of Japanese female-female queerness, and yes- more of the absolute delirium that ends the episode. We also want to give a shout-out to the other two podcasts discussing the show: "The Slave is Gone" and "Dickinson Forevermore." Give them a listen if you haven't already!  You can contact us at edictsonedicks@gmail.com. One of us (theoretically Ben) will get to you! We promise! The Future—never spoke— Nor will He—like the Dumb— Reveal by sign—a syllable Of His Profound To Come— But when the News be ripe— Presents it—in the Act— Forestalling Preparation— Escape—or Substitute— Indifference to Him— The Dower—as the Doom— His Office—but to execute Fate’s—Telegram—to Him—

Steel yourselves, everyone. Ben and Kyle break into "Sung from the heart, Sire," the fifth episode of the third season of Dickinson and MY GOODNESS it is a stressful episode, especially after the holiday season with potential family visits (unless you're like Kyle and you hiked up a mountain in the snow instead!). In this episode, we discuss the history of "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers," Stephen Foster, and pitch our idea for Dickinson! The Musical. Step One: Keep the original cast, we don't care how iron-clad Hailee Steinfeld's Hawkeye contract is.  As always, you can contact us at edictsonedicks@gmail.com. Take care and enjoy 2022, everyone. Safe in their Alabaster Chambers— Untouched by Morning — And untouched by noon— Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection, Rafter of Satin, and Roof of Stone. Grand go the Years, In the Crescent above them — Worlds scoop their Arcs— And Firmaments — row — Diadems — drop — And Doges — surrender — Soundless as Dots, On a Disc of Snow.

Welcome back listeners as we cover Dickinson season 3 episode 3, written by Sophie Zucker and directed by Rachael Holder. In this episode Emily frantically tries to do her best to help, and muses on the purpose of writing her poetry. Meanwhile Ben and Kyle drawl on about the nature of art, Emily's unusual behaviour and how the Dickinsons are all just so EXTRA...  You can contact us on edictsonedicks@gmail.com The Soul has Bandaged moments - When too appalled to stir - She feels some ghastly Fright come up And stop to look at her - Salute her, with long fingers - Caress her freezing hair - Sip, Goblin, from the very lips The Lover - hovered - o'er - Unworthy, that a thought so mean Accost a Theme - so - fair - The soul has moments of escape - When bursting all the doors - She dances like a Bomb, abroad, And swings opon the Hours, As do the Bee - delirious borne - Long Dungeoned from his Rose - Touch Liberty - then know no more - But Noon, and Paradise The Soul's retaken moments - When, Felon led along, With shackles on the plumed feet, And staples, in the song, The Horror welcomes her, again, These, are not brayed of Tongue -

Hello dear listeners! Join us as we sprint across the battlefield and do a barrel roll to our desks. That's right, Dickinson is BACK for Season 3 and we are so excited (even though our aunt- who married her cousin- just died). This episode, we begin our katabasis as we discuss the passing of generational torches, whether EmiSue is the endgame of the show, and how "Austin is gross now." Is Kyle recording from the actual depths of hell? No- his mike broke and he had to use his backup recording. Whoops. He'll get that sorted for Episode 2. In the meantime, enjoy our discussion of Emily Dickinson and how much we love this crazy bitch. My goodness, how far we've come... Here's the link to the Houghton Library Talk with Showrunner Alena Smith, Set Decorator Marina Parker, and Costume Designer Jennifer Moeller: https://youtu.be/uxPzviSKxKc “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me.

Well, that was a hell of a wait, huh? Ben and Kyle delve into the Season 2 finale of Apple TV+'s Dickinson, "You Cannot Put a Fire Out" and discuss sexual repression, cishet male progressivism, and the pornographic nature of oranges. A massive thank you to the Dickinson cast and crew for putting out a stellar season of TV as we prepare for Season 3 (featuring LYNN NOTTAGE in the writers room whaaaaaat) which is less than two months away... as well as our coverage of Season 3, which based on our history will happen sometime in 2025. As always, you can reach us at edictsonedicks@gmail.com. We love getting emails (as Kyle loves the chance to send people a concentrated blast of his thoughts about poetry and the transience of life) Two poems from Emily are featured in the episode: You cannot put a Fire out— A Thing that can ignite Can go, itself, without a Fan— Upon the slowest Night— You cannot fold a Flood— And put it in a Drawer— Because the Winds would find it out— And tell your Cedar Floor— AND A narrow Fellow in the Grass Occasionally rides - You may have met him? Did you not His notice instant is - The Grass divides as with a Comb, A spotted Shaft is seen, And then it closes at your Feet And opens further on - He likes a Boggy Acre - A Floor too cool for Corn - But when a Boy and Barefoot I more than once at Noon Have passed I thought a Whip Lash Unbraiding in the Sun When stooping to secure it It wrinkled And was gone - Several of Nature’s People I know, and they know me I feel for them a transport Of Cordiality But never met this Fellow Attended or alone Without a tighter Breathing And Zero at the Bone.

It happened everyone! Emily Dickinson got published in The Springfield Republican, all of Amherst pauses to celebrate her and her incredible accomplishment, and Death himself stops to hand her the keys to the Underworld and awards her immortality! Just kidding. Emily gets published and the world keeps turning because people are busy and they all have lives. Our girl turns invisible and gets to listen in on what everyone thinks about her. Meanwhile, the events in the barn pay off as we learn that the profits from The Constellation are being used to fund John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. And as every good American History student knows, this totally works and there are no bad consequences whatsoever... Just kidding (again). Digressions include getting an end-of-life plan, Patricia Highsmith, and lots of unexpected bodily fluids. Join us, won't you? As always, you can email us at edictsonedicks@gmail.com.  Here are two Emily poems for today: I taste a liquor never brewed –  From Tankards scooped in Pearl –  Not all the Frankfort Berries Yield such an Alcohol! Inebriate of air – am I –  And Debauchee of Dew –  Reeling – thro' endless summer days –  From inns of molten Blue – When "Landlords" turn the drunken Bee Out of the Foxglove's door –  When Butterflies – renounce their "drams" –  I shall but drink the more! Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats –  And Saints – to windows run –  To see the little Tippler Leaning against the – Sun! AND: Fame is a bee. It has a song— It has a sting— Ah, too, it has a wing.

Join Ben and Kyle on a trip to the opera with Emily and the rest of the Dickinsons as they watch a touring company's performance of La Traviata. We discuss fame, music, rapturous experiences with art, and killing birds.  Also, expect a forthcoming addendum to this episode- there's lots left to uncover. Emily's poem from this episode is incredible. Do yourself the favor and find the recording of Ella Hunt singing it: Split the Lark - and you’ll find the Music - Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled - Scantily dealt to the Summer Morning Saved for your Ear, when Lutes be old - Loose the Flood -  you shall find it patent - Gush after Gush, reserved for you - Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas! Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

Salutations, dear listeners! Welcome back from a brief but patient hiatus. Today, Kyle and Ben tackle Season 2 Episode 4 of Dickinson, "The Daisy follows soft the Sun –." We discuss getting lost in the maze of artistic endeavors, relationships and marriage, and the complicated Amethyst web of Emily Dickinson, William Blake, and Wendell Berry. Join us as we journey into the dark without a light- the best way to know the dark.  We actually tackle three poems by three different poets today (plus a bonus haiku by Kyle): Art buried in dirt? Cultivate insouciance: Compost for more crops! Emily Dickinson's "The Daisy follows soft the Sun-" The Daisy follows soft the Sun – And when his golden walk is done – Sits shyly at his feet – He – waking – finds the flower there – Wherefore – Marauder – art thou here? Because, Sir, love is sweet! We are the Flower – Thou the Sun! Forgive us, if as days decline – We nearer steal to Thee! Enamored of the parting West – The peace – the flight – the Amethyst – Night's possibility! William Blake's "To the Evening Star" Thou fair-hair'd angel of the evening, Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light Thy bright torch of love; thy radiant crown Put on, and smile upon our evening bed! Smile on our loves, and while thou drawest the Blue curtains of the sky, scatter thy silver dew On every flower that shuts its sweet eyes In timely sleep. Let thy west wind sleep on The lake; speak silence with thy glimmering eyes, And wash the dusk with silver. Soon, full soon, Dost thou withdraw; then the wolf rages wide, And then the lion glares through the dun forest: The fleeces of our flocks are cover'd with Thy sacred dew: protect them with thine influence! Wendell Berry's "To Know the Dark" To go in the dark with a light is to know the light. To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight, and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings, and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

Our journey through Season 2 of Apple TV+'s Dickinson continues as Emily has her first brush with fame- as the winner of the Amherst (Am'erst?) Cattle Show Baking Contest. Is this what she wants? Or will she resist the call of the Baking Contest Circuit in favor of something else? As Mrs. Dickinson tell us, one win is nice but two is momentum! Watch Hailee Steinfeld conjure one of Emily's more incisive poems out of thin air while the rest of Amherst gorges themselves on that monstrous cake she has made.  As always, contact us via email at edictsonedicks@gmail.com OR visit our fancy website at edictsonedicks.com. Here's Emily's haymaker of a meditation on Fame (that last line tho...): Fame is a fickle food Upon a shifting plate Whose table once a Guest but not The second time is set Whose crumbs the crows inspect And with ironic caw Flap past it to the Farmer’s corn Men eat of it and die

Hello listeners,  Today a special bonus episode. We take a break from watching Dickinson, and turn instead to the 2018 film 'Wild Nights With Emily' directed by Madeleine Olnek. We discuss the legacy of Emily Dickinson in more depth, and consider the villainy of one Ms. Mabel Loomis Todd. We heartily recommend giving this one a watch if you can.  Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u36bKgONkfI As always you can contact us at edictsonedicks@gmail.com. 

A wedding, a funeral, a breakdown, a trip across America and a horny Falconer. "Dickinson" reaches its first season finale and the two of us have THOUGHTS. Is this a sign of Emily growing up? Is Mr. Dickinson still a jerk? Is Austin acting out of character for the sake of moving the plot along? I mean, probably. But the answers to all these and more in our latest episode of Edicts on E. Dicks.  Thanks as always to our listeners. You can contact us directly at edictonedicks@gmail.com.