'My period had come for Prayer' by Emily Dickinson
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My period had come for Prayer—
No other Art—would do—
My Tactics missed a rudiment—
Creator—Was it you?
God grows above—so those who pray
Horizons—must ascend—
And so I stepped upon the North
To see this Curious Friend—
His House was not—no sign had He—
By Chimney—nor by Door
Could I infer his Residence—
Vast Prairies of Air
Unbroken by a Settler—
Were all that I could see—
Infinitude—Had'st Thou no Face
That I might look on Thee?
The Silence condescended—
Creation stopped—for Me—
But awed beyond my errand—
I worshipped—did not "pray"—
Editor 1 Interpretation
#My Period had Come for Prayer: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my goodness, what an absolute delight to dive into the world of Emily Dickinson's poetry! And what better poem to start with than "My Period had Come for Prayer," a profound and insightful piece that showcases Dickinson's unique style and perspective on life, death, and spirituality. This poem is a perfect example of why Dickinson is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time, and I cannot wait to explore it in depth.
##Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context and background of Emily Dickinson's life and work. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830, Dickinson was a deeply introverted and reclusive woman who spent most of her life in her family home. She wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published while she was alive. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her work was discovered and recognized as a major contribution to American literature.
Dickinson's poems are known for their unique style and subject matter. She often used unconventional capitalization and punctuation, and her poems were characterized by their brevity and intense emotional depth. Many of her poems dealt with themes of death, spirituality, love, and nature, and they were often written in a cryptic and ambiguous style that left readers guessing at their true meaning.
##Analysis of the Poem
Now, let's jump into "My Period had Come for Prayer" itself. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style and subject matter, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into her perspective on spirituality and the afterlife.
The poem begins with the line, "My period had come for Prayer," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "period" here refers not to a menstrual cycle, as some readers might assume, but to a time of day or a moment in time. This is a common use of the word in 19th-century literature, and it helps to give the poem its archaic and timeless quality.
The speaker then goes on to describe the setting of the poem, which is a "chapel aisle." This is a clear indication that the speaker is in a religious setting, and it sets up the theme of prayer and spirituality that runs throughout the poem.
The next few lines are some of the most cryptic and enigmatic in the entire poem:
I said, and that was yesterday; Noon turn'd, and I thought 'twas today; It is to-morrow, whisper'd I, As recollection strew'd the way
What could these lines mean? At first glance, they seem to be describing a moment of confusion or uncertainty on the part of the speaker. But on closer inspection, they reveal a much deeper and more profound insight into the nature of time and memory.
The speaker is struggling to remember when exactly she prayed - was it yesterday or today? But then she realizes that it doesn't really matter - either way, it's already in the past. The line "It is to-morrow" is particularly fascinating, because it suggests that the speaker is already looking ahead to the future, anticipating what comes next.
This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry - the idea that time is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment. But it's also a deeply spiritual idea, because it suggests that there is something beyond this world, something that we can look forward to even as we live in the present.
The next few lines reinforce this idea of looking ahead to the future:
A something, which a breath would move, That panel in the skies Is Gulphs unto its own, but more, Invisible, as Music
Here, the speaker is describing something that is beyond human comprehension, something that is as intangible as music. This "panel in the skies" is a clear allusion to heaven or the afterlife, and the fact that it is "invisible" suggests that it is something that we cannot see or touch in this life.
But the speaker also suggests that this something is within our reach - all it would take is a "breath" to move it. This is a powerful image, because it suggests that the boundary between this world and the next is not as solid as we might think. It also suggests that our actions in this life can have a profound impact on what happens after we die.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most beautiful and moving:
Yet, o'er these parched lips The floodgates of the soul Did break, until the Hallowed brooks Came silent thro' the hall
Here, the speaker is describing a moment of intense emotion and spiritual release. The "floodgates of the soul" are opened, and the speaker is overcome with a sense of awe and wonder. The final image of the "Hallowed brooks" coming "silent thro' the hall" is a powerful one, because it suggests that the divine is present even in the most mundane and ordinary of settings.
##Conclusion
"My Period had Come for Prayer" is a beautiful and insightful poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective on life, death, and spirituality. Through its cryptic and enigmatic imagery, the poem invites us to contemplate the nature of time, memory, and the afterlife, and to consider our own place in the grand scheme of things.
As we read this poem, we are reminded of the power and beauty of language, and of the profound ways in which poetry can touch our souls and connect us to something beyond ourselves. For Emily Dickinson, poetry was not just a form of self-expression - it was a way of reaching out to the divine and exploring the mysteries of the universe. And in "My Period had Come for Prayer," she invites us to join her on that journey, and to discover for ourselves the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Period Had Come for Prayer: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "My Period Had Come for Prayer," a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of faith, doubt, and the human experience. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's artistry and vision.
Structure and Language
"My Period Had Come for Prayer" is a short poem, consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The brevity of the poem is part of its power, as Dickinson is able to convey a great deal of emotion and meaning in just a few words. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, allowing Dickinson to experiment with language and structure in a way that is uniquely her own.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet also rich in imagery and symbolism. Dickinson uses everyday words and phrases to describe deeply personal and spiritual experiences, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in. For example, the opening line of the poem, "My period had come for Prayer," uses a common bodily function to describe a moment of spiritual awakening, linking the physical and the spiritual in a way that is both surprising and profound.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of her emotions. In the second stanza, she writes, "The Snow leaped like a hare," using a simile to describe the suddenness and energy of her spiritual experience. In the third stanza, she writes, "The Wind took up the Northern Things / And piled them in the south," using personification to describe the power and force of the wind. These images create a sense of movement and transformation, as if the natural world is responding to Dickinson's spiritual awakening.
Meaning and Interpretation
At its core, "My Period Had Come for Prayer" is a poem about the search for meaning and connection in a world that can often feel chaotic and confusing. Dickinson is grappling with questions of faith and doubt, trying to make sense of her own spiritual experiences in a way that is both honest and authentic.
The title of the poem is significant, as it suggests that Dickinson sees prayer as a natural and necessary part of her life, something that she must do in order to connect with the divine. The use of the word "period" also suggests a cyclical nature to her spiritual journey, as if she is constantly moving between moments of doubt and moments of faith.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses the natural world as a metaphor for her own spiritual journey. The snow, wind, and other elements are all described in vivid detail, as if they are responding to her innermost thoughts and feelings. This creates a sense of unity between the physical and the spiritual, as if Dickinson is part of a larger cosmic order that is constantly in motion.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Dickinson describes a moment of clarity and understanding that comes after a period of doubt and confusion. She writes, "The Sun went out for noon, / And filled the flask with light / The flask to nature's bottle neck, / And let the world to fight." This image of the sun filling a flask with light suggests a moment of revelation, as if Dickinson has finally found the answers she has been seeking. The final line, "And let the world to fight," suggests that she has come to a place of acceptance, recognizing that the struggles of the world are part of a larger plan that she may not fully understand.
Conclusion
"My Period Had Come for Prayer" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of faith and doubt in a way that is both personal and universal. Through her use of vivid imagery and simple language, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in, inviting us to share in her spiritual journey. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to connect us to something larger than ourselves.
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