'How sick—to wait—in any place—but thine' by Emily Dickinson
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How sick—to wait—in any place—but thine—
I knew last night—when someone tried to twine—
Thinking—perhaps—that I looked tired—or alone—
Or breaking—almost—with unspoken pain—
And I turned—ducal—
That right—was thine—
One port—suffices—for a Brig—like mine—
Ours be the tossing—wild though the sea—
Rather than a Mooring—unshared by thee.
Ours be the Cargo—unladed—here—
Rather than the "spicy isles—"
And thou—not there—
Editor 1 Interpretation
How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine by Emily Dickinson
Wow! Just reading the title of this poem by Emily Dickinson makes me feel the intensity of the emotions the poet is trying to convey. "How sick - to wait - in any place - but thine." The words used by Dickinson in this poem are so powerful that they can't help but leave a lasting impression on the reader. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning behind this poem and explore the ways in which Dickinson has used her craft to convey her thoughts and emotions.
Background
Emily Dickinson is one of the most well-known and loved poets in American literature. She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830 and lived there for most of her life. She began writing poetry at a young age and continued to do so throughout her life, often in isolation from the world around her. Dickinson's poetry is known for its deep emotional intensity, its use of vivid imagery, and its complex and often ambiguous themes.
Analysis
Now, let's dive into the poem itself. The first line, "How sick - to wait," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. This line expresses a feeling of illness or discomfort associated with waiting. The word "sick" implies a physical or emotional unease, and it is followed by an en dash, which suggests that the feeling continues into the next line.
The second line, "in any place," broadens the scope of the poem beyond a specific location. This phrase suggests that the feeling of sickness associated with waiting is not limited to one place and could be experienced anywhere. It also implies a sense of restlessness or discomfort with the present moment.
The third line, "but thine," is where the poem takes a turn. This line suggests that there is a specific person or place that could alleviate the feeling of sickness associated with waiting. The word "thine" implies ownership or possession, which could be interpreted as a person or a specific location that the speaker is waiting for.
The final line of the poem, "And there is naught to help," reinforces the sense of hopelessness and despair conveyed in the first three lines. The word "naught" suggests that there is nothing that can be done to alleviate the feeling of sickness associated with waiting. This line emphasizes the importance of the object of the speaker's waiting as the only solution to their discomfort.
Interpretation
So, what does this poem mean? At its core, "How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine" is a poem about the pain of waiting for someone or something that is important to us. The feeling of sickness or discomfort associated with waiting is a universal experience that many of us can relate to. However, the poem suggests that there is a specific person or place that could alleviate this discomfort, and without it, there is "naught to help."
The poem is also about the power of anticipation. The line "And there is naught to help" suggests that the anticipation of the object of the speaker's waiting is what is causing the feeling of sickness or discomfort. This anticipation is a powerful force that can be both exhilarating and painful. The poem implies that the only way to alleviate this discomfort is to be with the object of our waiting.
Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. We are often waiting for something in our lives, whether it be love, success, or fulfillment. The feeling of sickness associated with waiting is a reminder that we are not complete without the things we desire. However, the poem suggests that these things are achievable and that there is hope for us to find what we are waiting for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the universal experience of waiting for something or someone. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and complex themes convey a sense of hopelessness and despair that is relatable to many readers. However, the poem also suggests that there is hope for us to find what we are waiting for and that the object of our waiting is within reach. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine," is a powerful expression of longing and desire for a loved one. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "How sick - to wait - in any place - but thine." The use of the word "sick" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests a feeling of discomfort, unease, and even physical illness. The speaker is expressing their deep longing to be with someone they love, and the waiting is making them feel sick.
The next line, "I knew last night - when someone tried to twine," adds to the sense of longing and desire. The speaker is remembering a moment from the previous night when someone tried to comfort them, but it was not enough. The use of the word "twine" suggests an attempt to wrap around or embrace, but it was not the embrace they desired.
The third line, "Thinking - perhaps - that I looked tired - or alone," suggests that the speaker's appearance may have prompted the attempt at comfort. However, the speaker is not just physically tired or alone, but emotionally exhausted from waiting for their loved one.
The fourth line, "Or breaking - almost - with unspoken pain," adds to the sense of emotional exhaustion. The speaker is almost breaking under the weight of their unspoken pain. The use of the word "almost" suggests that they are holding on, but just barely.
The fifth line, "And I turned - ducal - that right - was thine," introduces the idea of ownership. The speaker turns to the person they love, acknowledging that they belong to them. The use of the word "ducal" suggests a sense of nobility or royalty, further emphasizing the idea of ownership.
The sixth line, "The light - came straggling in - between," suggests a moment of hope or relief. The light represents a glimmer of hope, a break in the darkness of waiting. However, the use of the word "straggling" suggests that it is not a strong or consistent light, but rather a fleeting one.
The seventh line, "The windows - failed - and then I could not see to see -," adds to the sense of darkness and despair. The windows, which represent a source of light and hope, fail, leaving the speaker in complete darkness. They cannot even see to see, emphasizing the depth of their despair.
The final line, "As if I had dropped the sun - and rays had burned away," is a powerful metaphor for the speaker's emotional state. The sun represents hope, light, and warmth, but the speaker has dropped it, leaving them in darkness and cold. The rays burning away suggest a sense of loss, as if the speaker's hope and light have been taken away.
Overall, "How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine" is a powerful expression of longing and desire. The speaker is waiting for someone they love, and the waiting is making them feel sick. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a sense of darkness, despair, and emotional exhaustion. However, there are also moments of hope and relief, suggesting that the speaker is holding on to the possibility of being with their loved one.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "How Sick - To Wait - In Any Place - But Thine" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the depths of human emotion. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a powerful and evocative expression of longing and desire. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
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