Between the Dashes #4 – An Emily Dickinson Museum Blog • September 23, 2026
For Dan Blom, Who Loves Emily Dickinson
By Nicole Heath, Emily Dickinson Museum Board Member
Not long ago, while going through my late father’s belongings, I uncovered a treasure: a signed original poem written by Kathleen Flenniken, the Poet Laureate of Washington State. It had been penned for my father’s 93rd birthday in 2012, celebrating his life during an event at the Rainier Club in Seattle.
My father, Dan Blom, was a lawyer by profession, but his heart belonged to literature. As chairman of the Rainier Club’s literary committee, he curated events that spotlighted novelists, poets, and non-fiction writers. Through that work, he formed a warm personal friendship with Flenniken, who learned about my father’s deep, lifelong love for Emily Dickinson and crafted this birthday poem in his honor.
After my father passed away, finding this poem among his papers felt like a sign. It felt like a testament to how Dickinson’s legacy reaches far beyond the meadows of Amherst. It brought me back to my childhood.
In our household, poetry was a living, breathing presence. Reciting verse from memory was a family sport, as my parents were constantly trying to outdo one another with quotations at the dinner table. Naturally, I memorized Dickinson from a very young age, and I made sure to pass that same love of poetry down to my own children.
Two of Emily’s poems, in particular, serve as bookends to my family’s history:
“There is no Frigate like a Book” (Fr1286) was my father’s absolute favorite, and it became mine, too. The poem functions as a sort of mission statement for anyone devoted to the world of literature. It was so fitting for a man who collected rare books and championed authors that, as a gift, I hand-embroidered the poem for him on fabric. My mother had it framed, and it hung in my parent’s home for decades.
When my mother passed away, “If I can stop one Heart from Breaking” (Fr982) was the poem we selected for her memorial service. It personified her altruistic, generous spirit and felt like a perfect tribute.
Given my family history, my path to the Museum almost felt preordained and when I first stepped onto the grounds, I was immediately smitten. Each visit here feels like a homecoming.
What I love most about serving on the board is the community behind the Museum. The board, staff, and visitors, all share a genuine affection for Dickinson’s work. To be here is to be inspired by her words and it is the spirit of this place that compelled me to join. Serving the Museum continues to be an ongoing education. It offers constant opportunities to dig deeper into Emily’s writing, her era, and the rich history of Western Massachusetts.
For my family, Dickinson was a lens through which we viewed generosity, curiosity, and imagination. Being part of the Emily Dickinson Museum allows me to honor my parents’ legacy while helping ensure that Emily’s “Frigate” continues to take future generations “Lands away.”