'I think the longest Hour of all' by Emily Dickinson

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I think the longest Hour of all
Is when the Cars have come-
And we are waiting for the Coach-
It seems as though the TimeIndignant-that the Joy was come-
Did block the Gilded Hands-
And would not let the Seconds by-
But slowest instant-ends-The Pendulum begins to count-
Like little Scholars-loud-
The steps grow thicker-in the Hall-
The Heart begins to crowd-Then I-my timid service done-
Tho' service 'twas, of Love-
Take up my little Violin-
And further North-remove.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I think the longest Hour of all" by Emily Dickinson

Oh, Emily Dickinson! Who hasn't heard of her? The enigmatic poet of the 19th century, whose works were discovered only after her death, has left us with some of the most profound and mysterious verses in the English language. And "I think the longest Hour of all" is no exception.

At first glance, the poem seems deceptively simple. It consists of only four stanzas, each with two lines. But don't be fooled by the brevity of the lines or the poem itself. There is a world of meaning and emotion hidden beneath the surface.

Let's start with the title. "I think the longest Hour of all." What does it mean? What is the longest hour? Is it a metaphor? The title alone raises more questions than answers, and that's one of the hallmarks of Dickinson's poetry. She doesn't give you the answers. She invites you to ponder and speculate.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem:

I think the longest Hour of all Is when the Cars have come — And we are waiting for the Coach — It seems as though the Time Indignant step apart — And leave the Waiting there —

The speaker tells us that the longest hour of all is when the "Cars have come" and "we are waiting for the Coach." We don't know what the "Cars" or the "Coach" are. Are they literal vehicles? Metaphors for something else? Again, Dickinson leaves it to us to interpret.

What we do know is that the waiting seems interminable. Time "Indignant step apart" and leaves the waiting there. Time, the great equalizer, the one thing we all have in common, becomes the enemy. It's almost as if time is a living entity, deliberately prolonging the waiting, taunting the speaker with its indifference.

The second stanza continues the theme of waiting:

The Hours we waited for the Train — Their faces — shining bright — The Hours we spent alone — with Them — And ones — too swift for Sight —

The speaker remembers the hours spent waiting for the train. The hours were "shining bright," perhaps filled with anticipation and excitement. But there were also hours spent alone, with no one to talk to, and hours that flew by too quickly to be noticed.

Again, the theme of time and its capriciousness emerges. Time seems to have a mind of its own, flowing slowly or quickly depending on our perception. It's almost as if time is a trickster, playing games with us, making us feel like fools for thinking we can control it.

The third stanza takes a slightly different turn:

The Visions we have seen No Emperor find His Peer — Sustain me — lest Him — They slay me with Despair —

Here, the speaker talks about "The Visions we have seen." What are these visions? Are they literal or figurative? Once again, we are left to speculate. But whatever they are, they are so magnificent that "No Emperor find His Peer." The speaker needs these visions to sustain her, to prevent her from being "slay[ed]...with Despair."

It's interesting to note that the speaker doesn't say "they sustain me." She says "Sustain me." The visions are not just a source of comfort or inspiration. They are necessary for survival. The speaker is so dependent on these visions that without them, she would be overcome by despair.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close:

The Trumpets — instantly be done — Without the power to die —

The speaker refers to "The Trumpets," perhaps a metaphor for something grand and majestic, like the sound of angels heralding the apocalypse. And yet, they can be "instantly done," as if they never existed. They have no power to die because they were never alive to begin with.

What does it all mean? What message is Dickinson trying to convey? That's the beauty of her poetry. It can mean different things to different people. To me, "I think the longest Hour of all" is about the fleeting nature of time and the way we try to cling to moments of beauty and wonder to sustain us through the inevitable periods of waiting and despair.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition. We are all waiting for something, whether it's a train, a coach, or something more intangible like love or enlightenment. We all have moments of profound insight and beauty that sustain us through the darkest times. And yet, those moments are fleeting, like the sound of a trumpet that is instantly gone.

"I think the longest Hour of all" is a reminder to appreciate those moments, to savor them, to hold them close, because they are all we have in a world where time is always running out. It's a poignant and thought-provoking work that speaks to the universal experience of being human.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry lovers, rejoice! Today, we are going to delve into one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking poems of all time - "I think the longest Hour of all" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of time and its impact on human emotions. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and the poet's intentions.

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

I think the longest Hour of all Is when the Cars have come - And we are waiting for the Coach - And for the Mail - for some -

Or, just the single Horses - There's express Ones - of course - But those that travel "like the Winds" - Obey no ordinary Laws -

Their Maker - is the Wind - And they are just the Toys That Sun and Earth confide us - And Antics of the Boys -

The poem begins with the speaker stating that the longest hour of all is when they are waiting for something to arrive. The speaker mentions cars, coaches, and mail, which were the primary modes of transportation during Dickinson's time. The speaker then goes on to talk about horses, specifically the express ones that travel "like the Winds." These horses are not bound by ordinary laws and are merely toys that the sun and earth have given us to play with.

The first theme that emerges from the poem is the concept of time. Dickinson captures the feeling of waiting and the agony of time passing slowly. The speaker's use of the word "longest" emphasizes the idea that time seems to stretch out when we are waiting for something. This theme is further reinforced by the use of the word "hour," which is a unit of time. The poem highlights how our perception of time is subjective and can vary depending on our circumstances.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of powerlessness. The speaker describes the horses as toys that are at the mercy of the sun and earth. This imagery suggests that humans are also powerless in the face of larger forces such as nature and time. The use of the word "obey" further emphasizes this idea, suggesting that we are subject to the whims of time and nature.

The poem also explores the concept of anticipation. The speaker describes waiting for something to arrive, which creates a sense of anticipation and excitement. This feeling is further reinforced by the use of the word "some," which suggests that the speaker is waiting for something specific but is not sure what it is. This creates a sense of mystery and anticipation for the reader.

Now, let's take a closer look at the literary devices used in the poem. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies the cars, coaches, and horses, giving them human-like qualities. The cars "come," the horses "travel," and the toys have "antics." This use of personification creates a sense of movement and life in the poem, making it more engaging for the reader.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The horses are described as traveling "like the Winds," which is a metaphor for their speed and power. This metaphor creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and emphasizes the idea that these horses are not bound by ordinary laws.

The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The phrase "for some" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the speaker's uncertainty about what they are waiting for. This repetition creates a sense of anticipation and mystery for the reader.

Finally, let's explore the poet's intentions in writing this poem. Emily Dickinson was known for her unique style and her ability to capture complex emotions in her poetry. In this poem, she explores the concept of time and its impact on human emotions. The poem highlights the feeling of powerlessness that we experience when we are waiting for something to arrive. It also explores the idea of anticipation and the excitement that comes with waiting for something unknown.

In conclusion, "I think the longest Hour of all" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of time and its impact on human emotions. The poem explores themes of powerlessness, anticipation, and the subjective nature of time. The use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and repetition creates a vivid and engaging poem that is sure to resonate with readers. Emily Dickinson's unique style and her ability to capture complex emotions make this poem a true masterpiece of poetry.

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