The Poet's Invoice Dispute

Emily Dickinson's ghost appeared before the IRS. 'We need to discuss your posthumous royalties,' said the agent. Emily replied, 'I published seven poems in my lifetime. Seven. The other 1,800 were found in a drawer. I didn't even want those published—they were just—dashes—and—feelings.' The agent nodded. 'Ma'am, your estate has earned more after death than most poets earn alive.' Emily sighed. 'That—is the most—American thing—I have ever—heard.'