‘And I do love to run fast and hide away from them all.  Here in dear Susie’s bosom, I know is love and rest, and I never would go away, did not the big world call me, and beat me for not working… Your precious letter, Susie, it sits here now, and smiles so kindly at me, and gives me such sweet thoughts of the dear writer.  When you come home, darling, I shan’t have your letters, shall I, but I shall have yourself, which is more.  Oh more, and better than I can even think!’

Your letter

[Emily Dickinson was an influential American poet who lived a deeply private and isolated life.  In the spring of 1852, she wrote this letter to Susan Gilbert Dickinson, her sister-in-law and neighbor, with whom she shared an intimate and romantic relationship.  Susan Gilbert is widely considered to have been brilliant and was probably the most important muse in Emily Dickinson’s life.]