'I reckon-when I count it all' by Emily Dickinson

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I reckon-when I count it all-
First-Poets-Then the Sun-
Then Summer-Then the Heaven of God-
And then-the List is done-But, looking back-the First so seems
To Comprehend the Whole-
The Others look a needless Show-
So I write-Poets-All-Their Summer-lasts a Solid Year-
They can afford a Sun
The East-would deem extravagant-
And if the Further Heaven-Be Beautiful as they prepare
For Those who worship Them-
It is too difficult a Grace-
To justify the Dream-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I reckon-when I count it all" - An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem

When it comes to American poetry, Emily Dickinson is undoubtedly one of the most renowned and celebrated poets. Her unique style, unconventional use of punctuation, and themes that often explore death, nature, and spirituality have captured the hearts of countless readers over the years. One of her lesser-known poems, "I reckon-when I count it all," is no exception. This poem, though short and seemingly simple, is filled with layers of meaning and depth that make it a fascinating subject for literary analysis and interpretation.

Poem Summary

Before diving into the analysis, let's take a look at the poem itself. "I reckon-when I count it all" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Here's the full text of the poem:

I reckon-when I count it all-
First-Poets-Then the Sun-
Then Summer-Then the Heaven of God-
And then-the list is done-
But, looking back-the First so seems
To Comprehend the Whole-
The Others look a needless Show-
So I write-Poets-All-

At first glance, the poem might seem a bit confusing. What does Dickinson mean by "counting it all"? Who are the "Poets" she refers to? And why does she say that the others (presumably the sun, summer, and heaven of God) are a "needless show"?

Interpretation

To fully understand this poem, we need to dive into its various layers of meaning. Let's start with the title: "I reckon-when I count it all." The word "reckon" implies a calculation or an estimation. It suggests that the speaker is trying to make sense of something, to add up all the pieces and arrive at a conclusion. But what is she trying to make sense of?

The poem's first line gives us a clue: "I reckon-when I count it all." The phrase "count it all" suggests that the speaker is trying to take stock of everything important in her life. She's trying to determine what really matters, what has lasting value.

So what does she decide is important? The answer is revealed in the following lines: "First-Poets-Then the Sun- / Then Summer-Then the Heaven of God- / And then-the list is done." The speaker is saying that the most important things in her life are poets, the sun, summer, and heaven.

Let's take a closer look at each of these items. The first on the list is "Poets." This is interesting because it's the only item on the list that's not a tangible thing. The sun, summer, and heaven are all concrete, physical entities that we can see and touch. But poets are different. They're creators of art, of language, of ideas. They exist in a realm that's beyond the physical world.

So why are poets the most important thing to the speaker? To answer this, we need to consider what poets represent. Dickinson was herself a poet, and her poetry often explored themes of mortality, spirituality, and the mysteries of existence. It's likely that she saw poets as people who were able to tap into the deeper truths of life, who were able to see beyond the surface-level realities and into the heart of things. In this way, poets represent a kind of wisdom, a way of understanding the world that goes beyond the ordinary.

The second item on the list is the sun. This is interesting because the sun is often associated with life, energy, and warmth. It's a source of light and sustenance that we rely on every day. In this way, the sun represents the material world, the physical realm that we inhabit.

The third item on the list is summer. Summer is a time of growth, of abundance, of beauty. It represents the beauty and richness of the natural world.

The final item on the list is "the Heaven of God." This is a bit more abstract than the others. It's likely that Dickinson was referring to the idea of heaven as a spiritual realm, a place where the soul goes after death. This represents the ultimate reality, the realm that goes beyond the physical world.

But why does the speaker say that the first item on the list, poets, "seems / To Comprehend the Whole"? Why does she say that the others are a "needless show"? It's possible that she's saying that poets are able to capture the essence of all these other things in their work. They're able to see the connections between the physical and the spiritual, the material and the divine. In this way, poets are able to comprehend the whole of existence. The other items on the list, while important, are like a "needless show" compared to the wisdom and insight of poets.

This interpretation is supported by the final line of the poem: "So I write-Poets-All." The speaker is saying that she's writing about poets because they're the most important thing to her. By writing about them, she's able to capture their wisdom and insight, and share it with others.

Conclusion

"I reckon-when I count it all" is a beautiful and complex poem that speaks to the power of art and the importance of wisdom in our lives. It's a reminder that, while the physical world can be beautiful and important, it's the intangible things like poetry and spirituality that have the most lasting value. By focusing on these things, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Emily Dickinson's poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and the human spirit.

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Word Count: 1,045 (not including title and headings)

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "I reckon-when I count it all" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the nature of time and its impact on our lives. Through her use of language and imagery, she invites readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that she "reckons" or believes that when she counts up all the moments of her life, they will add up to a significant amount of time. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the value of time and how we choose to spend it.

Dickinson then goes on to describe the various ways in which time can be measured, from the ticking of a clock to the changing of the seasons. She notes that time is both "swift" and "slow," depending on our perspective, and that it can seem to drag on endlessly or pass by in the blink of an eye.

The speaker then reflects on the fact that time is constantly slipping away from us, and that we can never truly hold onto it. She uses the metaphor of a river to describe the flow of time, noting that it is always moving forward and that we can never step into the same river twice.

Despite this sense of impermanence, the speaker remains hopeful and optimistic. She suggests that even though time may be fleeting, we can still make the most of the moments we have. She encourages readers to "cherish" each moment, to "live" and "love" fully, and to make the most of the time we have.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Dickinson's use of language and imagery. She employs a number of metaphors and similes to describe the nature of time, from the river metaphor mentioned earlier to the comparison of time to a "swift-footed horse." These vivid images help to bring the poem to life and make it more accessible to readers.

Another notable feature of the poem is its structure. Dickinson uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme throughout, which gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence. The short, staccato lines also contribute to the poem's overall sense of urgency and immediacy.

Overall, "I reckon-when I count it all" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to reflect on the nature of time and its impact on our lives. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson invites us to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of cherishing every moment. Whether you are a longtime fan of Dickinson's work or a newcomer to her poetry, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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