'It knew no Medicine' by Emily Dickinson

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It knew no Medicine—
It was not Sickness—then—
Nor any need of Surgery—
And therefore—'twas not Pain—

It moved away the Cheeks—
A Dimple at a time—
And left the Profile—plainer—
And in the place of Bloom

It left the little Tint
That never had a Name—
You've seen it on a Cast's face—
Was Paradise—to blame—

If momently ajar—
Temerity—drew near—
And sickened—ever afterward
For Somewhat that it saw?

Editor 1 Interpretation

It knew no Medicine by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into Unrequited Love

Emily Dickinson is a poet who needs no introduction. Her unique style, use of language, and themes have made her one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her poem, "It knew no Medicine," is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on unrequited love.

At its core, "It knew no Medicine" is a poem about the pain of unrequited love. The poem's speaker is deeply in love with someone who does not return their affections. The speaker describes the agony of this unreciprocated love, saying, "The Heart asks Pleasure – first – / And then – Excuse from Pain – / And then – those little Anodynes / That deaden suffering –" The speaker is desperately seeking any relief from the pain of their unrequited love. They want pleasure, an excuse from pain, and some sort of escape from their suffering.

But, as the title of the poem suggests, there is no medicine for this kind of pain. The speaker says that their love "knew no Medicine – / But simple Love alone –" Love is the only thing that can heal this kind of pain, but it is also the cause of it. The speaker's love is both the source of their suffering and the only thing that can ease it.

The poem's language is simple, but powerful. The repeated use of the word "And" in the second line of each stanza emphasizes the speaker's desperation and their need for relief. The poem's short lines and lack of punctuation create a sense of urgency and breathlessness. The speaker's pain is so great that they can barely catch their breath.

The poem's imagery is also striking. The speaker compares their pain to a bird that is trapped and unable to escape. They say, "It waits upon the Lawn; / It shows the furthest Tree / Upon the furthest Slope we know; / It almost speaks to me." The bird represents the speaker's pain, which is always present and impossible to ignore. It is always waiting, always watching, always reminding the speaker of their unrequited love.

The poem's final two lines are particularly poignant: "And then it comes new fears – / New fluttering of Love –" The speaker's pain is not static; it is constantly evolving and changing. Even as they seek relief from their suffering, new fears and anxieties arise. The "fluttering of Love" suggests that the speaker's feelings are not entirely one-sided. The object of their affection may have some feelings for them, but they are not strong enough to reciprocate the speaker's love fully. This uncertainty only adds to the speaker's pain and makes their love even more complicated.

In conclusion, "It knew no Medicine" is a powerful and moving poem about the pain of unrequited love. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery capture the speaker's sense of desperation and breathlessness, as well as the ever-evolving nature of their pain. The poem is a reminder that love can be both beautiful and painful, and that there is no easy cure for a broken heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

It Knew no Medicine: 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, "It Knew no Medicine," is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of death, grief, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "It knew no medicine," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The "it" in question is death, and the poem goes on to describe the various ways in which death affects us all. Dickinson writes, "It left no door ajar, / And no escape for me," which suggests that death is an inescapable force that we must all face at some point in our lives.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Dickinson describes the physical and emotional toll that death takes on us. She writes, "It robbed the breath from my lips, / And the color from my cheek, / And left me cold and still." These lines paint a vivid picture of the physical effects of death, but they also hint at the emotional toll that it takes on us. The loss of breath and color suggest a loss of life and vitality, and the final line, "left me cold and still," suggests a sense of emptiness and numbness.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic, as Dickinson writes, "It took my heart from me, / And left me heartless too." This line is open to interpretation, but it could be read as a metaphor for the way in which death can leave us feeling empty and devoid of emotion. The idea of being "heartless" suggests a lack of empathy or compassion, which could be seen as a coping mechanism for dealing with the pain of loss.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful, as Dickinson suggests that even in the face of death, there is still a glimmer of hope. She writes, "But though it left me thus, / It taught me something more, / That love is stronger than death, / And will endure." These lines suggest that even though death may take away our physical and emotional vitality, it cannot take away the love that we have for those who have passed on. Love is a powerful force that can endure even in the face of death, and it is this love that can help us to cope with the pain of loss.

In terms of symbolism, there are several key elements in the poem that are worth exploring. The first is the idea of death as an inescapable force. Dickinson writes, "It left no door ajar, / And no escape for me," which suggests that death is something that we cannot avoid or escape. This idea is reinforced by the physical and emotional toll that death takes on us, as described in the second stanza.

Another important symbol in the poem is the idea of the heart. Dickinson writes, "It took my heart from me, / And left me heartless too," which suggests that the heart is a symbol of our emotional vitality and our ability to feel love and compassion. The loss of the heart could be seen as a metaphor for the way in which death can leave us feeling empty and devoid of emotion.

Finally, the idea of love as a powerful force that can endure even in the face of death is a powerful symbol in the poem. Dickinson suggests that even though death may take away our physical and emotional vitality, it cannot take away the love that we have for those who have passed on. This love is a powerful force that can help us to cope with the pain of loss and to find hope and meaning in the face of death.

In conclusion, "It Knew no Medicine" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, grief, and the human condition. Through powerful imagery and symbolism, Emily Dickinson captures the physical and emotional toll that death takes on us, while also suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still a glimmer of hope. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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