'We do not know the time we lose—' by Emily Dickinson
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We do not know the time we lose—
The awful moment is
And takes its fundamental place
Among the certainties—
A firm appearance still inflates
The card—the chance—the friend—
The spectre of solidities
Whose substances are sand—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
We Do Not Know the Time We Lose by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Critique
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets of all time. Her poems are characterized by their brevity, their unconventional use of punctuation, and their often cryptic and ambiguous meanings. One of the most enigmatic of her poems is "We do not know the time we lose." This poem is only six lines long, yet it is packed with meaning and depth. In this critique, we will take a closer look at this poem, exploring its themes, its use of language and form, and its potential meanings.
Form and Structure
Before we dive into the meaning of the poem, let's first examine its form and structure. "We do not know the time we lose" is a six-line poem with an ABABCC rhyme scheme. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is fitting given the poem's thematic focus on the fleeting nature of time. The poem is also written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs, or metrical feet consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, which contrasts with its somber and melancholic tone.
Themes
At its core, "We do not know the time we lose" is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem reminds us that we are all mortal, that our time on Earth is finite, and that we must make the most of the time we have. The first two lines of the poem set the tone:
We do not know the time we lose -
The untold want by life denied,
Here, Dickinson suggests that there are things we want in life that we may never have the chance to experience because of the brevity of our existence. The phrase "the time we lose" implies that we are constantly running out of time, that each moment is precious and fleeting. The second line of the poem reinforces this idea, suggesting that there are unfulfilled desires that we may never have the chance to satisfy. These desires could be anything, from a longing for love to a desire for knowledge or adventure.
The third and fourth lines of the poem shift the focus from the individual to the collective:
Death will us beckon to the skies,
But chains will keep us here, confined.
Here, Dickinson reminds us that death is a universal experience, something that we will all face eventually. The phrase "beckon to the skies" implies that death is a kind of ascension, a passage to another world or realm. However, the following line suggests that we are tethered to this world, that we are bound by "chains" that keep us from transcending our mortal existence. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the limitations of the human condition, the fact that we are bound by our physical bodies and the laws of nature.
The final two lines of the poem bring the focus back to the individual:
Restricted, limited, alone,
We do not know the time we lose.
Here, Dickinson emphasizes our individuality and our loneliness. The adjectives "restricted" and "limited" suggest that we are constrained by our circumstances, that we are unable to fully realize our potential. The final line of the poem reiterates the central theme, that we are constantly losing time, that each moment is precious and fleeting.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "We do not know the time we lose" is its use of language and imagery. Dickinson's poetry is known for its economy of language, and this poem is no exception. Each line is carefully crafted, with every word and phrase serving a specific purpose.
The first line of the poem, "We do not know the time we lose," is a prime example of Dickinson's mastery of language. The phrase "the time we lose" is deceptively simple, yet it carries a profound meaning. The word "lose" implies that time is something that can be misplaced or wasted, that it is a finite resource that we must use wisely. The second line of the poem, "The untold want by life denied," is equally powerful. The phrase "the untold want" suggests a deep, unarticulated desire, something that is felt but not expressed. This desire is then contrasted with the phrase "by life denied," implying that life is the source of our limitations and our unfulfilled dreams.
The third line of the poem, "Death will us beckon to the skies," is perhaps the most striking in terms of imagery. The phrase "beckon to the skies" is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting a kind of transcendence beyond the earthly realm. The use of the word "beckon" implies a kind of invitation, a welcoming hand extended from another world. However, this invitation is then contrasted with the next line, "But chains will keep us here, confined." The word "chains" is a powerful metaphor for the limitations of the human condition, the fact that we are bound by our physical bodies and our mortality.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most somber in terms of tone. The use of the adjectives "restricted" and "limited" suggests a sense of confinement and frustration, while the word "alone" emphasizes our individuality and our isolation. The final line, "We do not know the time we lose," is a potent reminder that time is a finite and precious resource that we must use wisely.
Conclusion
"We do not know the time we lose" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of mortality, desire, and the transience of life. Through its use of language, imagery, and form, the poem reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of making the most of the time we have. Dickinson's poetry is known for its ambiguity and its ability to elicit multiple interpretations, and "We do not know the time we lose" is no exception. The poem can be read as a meditation on the human condition, a warning against the dangers of procrastination, or a lament for unfulfilled dreams. Whatever interpretation one chooses, however, the power of this poem lies in its ability to evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and contemplation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Do Not Know the Time We Lose: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "We do not know the time we lose," which explores the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in the present moment. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "We do not know the time we lose," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that time is a precious commodity that we often take for granted. We do not know how much time we have, and we cannot get it back once it's gone. The use of the word "lose" suggests that time is something that can slip away from us if we're not careful.
The second line of the poem reads, "The subtlest and the surest." Here, the speaker is emphasizing that time is both subtle and sure. It can slip away from us without us even realizing it, but it is also a constant presence in our lives. We cannot escape time, and we cannot ignore its passing.
The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "No present that we guess / Except as palpitation." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the present moment is fleeting and elusive. We cannot predict or anticipate the present moment, but we can feel it in our hearts. The use of the word "palpitation" suggests a sense of excitement or anticipation, as if the speaker is urging us to pay attention to the present moment and savor it while we can.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Nor future that we know / But by the past's remembrance." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the future is unknown and unpredictable. We cannot know what the future holds, but we can learn from the past and use it to guide our actions in the present. The use of the word "remembrance" suggests that the past is something that we carry with us, and that it can influence our present and future actions.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "As children, when we fret / Or soothe ourselves with dolls." Here, the speaker is using a metaphor to compare our relationship with time to that of children playing with dolls. Just as children play with dolls to distract themselves from their worries, we often distract ourselves from the passing of time by focusing on trivial things. The use of the word "fret" suggests that we are anxious about the passing of time, while the word "soothe" suggests that we try to comfort ourselves by focusing on other things.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "But courteous, feign no less / Than straightaway tells the cause." Here, the speaker is suggesting that we should be honest with ourselves about the passing of time. We should not pretend that time is not passing or try to distract ourselves from it. Instead, we should acknowledge the passing of time and use it as a reminder to live in the present moment.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "Death is the supple suitor / That wins at last its cause." Here, the speaker is using a metaphor to compare death to a suitor who eventually wins our affection. Death is something that we cannot escape, and it will eventually claim us all. The use of the word "supple" suggests that death is both flexible and persistent, and that it will eventually catch up with us no matter how hard we try to avoid it.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "It is a stealthy wooing / Conducted first by pallor." Here, the speaker is continuing the metaphor of death as a suitor. Death is something that sneaks up on us, and we may not even realize it's happening until it's too late. The use of the word "pallor" suggests a sense of fading or disappearing, as if death is slowly erasing our presence from the world.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "That wins its way so stealthily / Almost we know it not." Here, the speaker is emphasizing the subtle and elusive nature of death. It is something that we may not even realize is happening until it's too late. The use of the word "stealthily" suggests that death is something that sneaks up on us, and that we may not even be aware of its presence until it's too late.
The final two lines of the poem read, "Insensibly 'tis wrought / Until the heart is hot." Here, the speaker is emphasizing the gradual and subtle nature of death. It is something that happens slowly and almost imperceptibly, until it eventually consumes us completely. The use of the word "insensibly" suggests that death is something that happens without us even realizing it, while the phrase "the heart is hot" suggests a sense of passion or intensity, as if death is something that consumes us completely.
In conclusion, "We do not know the time we lose" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in the present moment. Through the use of metaphors, imagery, and literary devices, Emily Dickinson encourages us to pay attention to the passing of time and to use it as a reminder to live our lives to the fullest. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to capture profound insights into the human condition.
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