Is it heartening, or scary, to read Emily Dickinson’s views on “publish or perish.” Is the end result of demanding quality over quantity to die agoraphobic but be discovered brilliant?
Publication – is the Auction
Of the Mind of Man-
Poverty-be justifying
For so foul a thing
Possibly-but We-would rather
from Our Garret go
White-Unto the White Creator-
Than invest-Our Snow-
Thought belong to Him who gave it-
Then-to Him Who bear
Its Corporeal illustration-Sell
the Royal Air
In the Parcel-Be the Merchant
Of the Heavenly Grace-
But reduce no Human Spirit
To Disgrace of Price
-Emily Dickinson, 709