Could Emily Dickenson have been the first "Emo" Poet?

Question

I use the term "Emo" with no anger, hate or disapproval. I am using it here to reference the genre of "Emo" poetry.

Once again I am referencing the GENRE of "Emo" poetry. This genre is more complex than just including poems that express emotion. Here is a description from Wikipedia that further explains this genre and will hopefully shed some light on the comparison I attempted to make between Emily Dickenson's poetry and "Emo" poetry:

Emo poetry "addresses confusion, depression, loneliness, and anger, all resulting from the world's inability to understand the author.[3] Emo poetry uses a combination of any of: a highly emotional tone, stream of consciousness writing, a simple (ABAB) or nonexistent rhyme scheme, references to the flesh, especially the heart, heavy use of dark or depressing adjectives, concern over the mutability of time and/or love, and disregard for punctuation, grammar, and/or spelling. Themes such as life is pain are common."

Answer 1

Absolute, actually you could argue that she was a revolutionary emo poet. She only wore white in her later years in life. In addition she never named any of her poetry. The title of all her poems are the first line of her poems (thats what happens when you dont name your poem, someone names it for you and they name it the first line of your poem). She was very antisocial later in life also.

Answer 2

I'd say YES and NO. Most of them fit the definition. But others are more metaphysical.

Emo poetry is usually written with pain. When the emo girl/boy experiences something they don't like to talk about or it just hurts to much they would most likely write poetry about it.

Normally poetry isn't explaining it. Its more of a puzzle. But... Something you have to think about for a minute. Sometimes they put reasons for the things they write at the end. There are many types of emo poetry, some are joy full then suddenly drop to pure sadness. Some are even sick.


This is an example of Emo Poetry written by an Emo Girl-

The light is dimming.
I’m getting weaker.
My breathing gets harder at every breath.
Harder.
Now Harder.
People around me.
I think.
Otherwise Angels.
Or demons.
I cant tell.
I don’t care.
Tell me you love me,
and that everything will be alright between you and me.
That we can be friends again.
That you don’t love her.
It just might be my life.
I feel my body hit the ground.
People,
Angels,
demons,
whatever they are,
yelling or maybe talking.
I don’t know.
You just don’t say anything.
You only sit there,
not knowing anything that’s happening to me.
My heart skips a beat.
Another.
And Before I know it,
my life falls to pieces.

Answer 3

Aren't all poets emo? Isn't poetry about the release of emotion or the articulation of some sort of emotion? But Yes, Emily was certainly an Emo poet but i'm doubtful that she was the first or the last. :)

Answer 4

I'd say most poets are pretty "emo" by their pure nature. That's why they are poets.