'The Skies can't keep their secret!' by Emily Dickinson
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The Skies can't keep their secret!
They tell it to the Hills—
The Hills just tell the Orchards—
And they—the Daffodils!
A Bird—by chance—that goes that way—
Soft overhears the whole—
If I should bribe the little Bird—
Who knows but she would tell?
I think I won't—however—
It's finer—not to know—
If Summer were an Axiom—
What sorcery had Snow?
So keep your secret—Father!
I would not—if I could,
Know what the Sapphire Fellows, do,
In your new-fashioned world!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Skies Can't Keep Their Secret! - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "The Skies Can't Keep Their Secret!" is a short but profound piece of poetry that speaks to the power and mystery of nature. In just six lines, Dickinson captures the essence of the natural world and the awe it inspires in us.
The Poem
The skies can't keep their secret!
They tell it to the hills -
The hills just tell the orchards -
And they the daffodils!
A bird, by chance, that goes that way,
Soft overheard the whole.
If I should bribe the little bird,
Who knows but she would tell?
I think I should, if I were he,
And I were you - and you were me -
And we were all agreed.
Analysis
The first thing that strikes the reader about Dickinson's poem is the brevity of the piece. In just six lines, she manages to convey a powerful message about the natural world and our relationship to it. The poem begins with the assertion that "The skies can't keep their secret!" This phrase immediately captures the imagination and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that there is a great mystery at work in the natural world, one that we can only hope to understand.
The second line of the poem tells us that the skies "tell it to the hills." This suggests that nature is not a disparate collection of elements, but rather a connected and interdependent web of life. The skies communicate with the hills, and the hills in turn communicate with the orchards. This chain of communication suggests that everything in nature is inextricably linked, and that there is a hidden order at work that we can only catch glimpses of.
The third line of the poem continues this theme of interconnectedness, as the orchards "tell" the daffodils. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests a kind of natural language that exists between all living things. It is as if the orchards and the daffodils are able to communicate with one another on a level that we cannot perceive.
The fourth line introduces a bird into the mix, which "soft overheard the whole." This image is important, as it suggests that there are beings in the natural world that are able to bridge the gap between the human and the natural. The bird is witness to the communication between the skies, the hills, the orchards, and the daffodils, but it is not party to it. It is a bystander, an observer, and yet it is also an active participant in the natural world.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem introduce a note of playfulness and whimsy. Dickinson asks, "If I should bribe the little bird, / Who knows but she would tell?" This suggests that there is something secret and mysterious about the natural world, something that we humans can only hope to understand. Dickinson imagines herself as the little bird, and suggests that even she would be tempted to reveal the secrets of nature if given the chance.
The poem ends with a note of unity and agreement. Dickinson imagines a scenario in which she, the reader, and everyone else were all "agreed" on the mysteries of nature. This suggests that the natural world is something that unites us all, regardless of our backgrounds, beliefs, or opinions. It is a force that is greater than ourselves, and one that we can only hope to understand.
Interpretation
"The Skies Can't Keep Their Secret!" is a poem that speaks to the power and mystery of nature. It suggests that there is a hidden order at work in the natural world, one that is beyond our understanding. The poem also suggests that there is a kind of natural language that exists between all living things, a language that we can only hope to catch glimpses of.
At the heart of the poem is the idea of interconnectedness. The skies communicate with the hills, the hills with the orchards, and the orchards with the daffodils. This suggests that everything in nature is linked, and that there is a kind of harmony at work that we can only hope to perceive. The bird that overhears this communication is a reminder that there are beings in the natural world that are able to bridge the gap between the human and the natural. The bird is a witness to the mysteries of nature, but it is not party to them.
The final lines of the poem introduce a note of playfulness and whimsy. Dickinson imagines herself as the little bird, and suggests that even she would be tempted to reveal the secrets of nature if given the chance. This suggests that there is something inherently mysterious about the natural world, something that we humans can only hope to understand.
Overall, "The Skies Can't Keep Their Secret!" is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that speaks to the power and mystery of nature. It suggests that there is a natural order at work in the world, and that there is a kind of language that exists between all living things. The poem is a reminder that there are mysteries in the world that we may never fully understand, but that we can still be awed and inspired by them.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Skies can't keep their secret! Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you have captured the essence of the skies in this beautiful poem! This classic piece of literature is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers today. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand why it is such a beloved work of art.
Firstly, let's take a look at the poem's structure. The Skies can't keep their secret! is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB, which adds to its musicality and makes it easy to remember. The brevity of the poem is also significant as it emphasizes the idea that the skies cannot keep their secrets for long. The poem's simplicity and structure are a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, as she manages to convey a powerful message in just eight lines.
Now, let's move on to the poem's meaning. The Skies can't keep their secret! is a poem about the beauty and mystery of nature. The poem suggests that the skies hold secrets that they cannot keep, and that these secrets are revealed to us through the changing colors of the sky. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the line "The skies can't keep their secret!" suggesting that there is something mysterious and exciting about the sky. The second line of the stanza, "They tell it to the hills," implies that the secrets of the sky are shared with the natural world around us.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the line "They tell it to the starry birds." This line suggests that the secrets of the sky are not just shared with the natural world, but also with the creatures that inhabit it. The use of the word "starry" to describe the birds adds to the magical and mystical quality of the poem. The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, with the line "They tell it to the drowning man." This line suggests that the secrets of the sky are so important that even a person in peril can be comforted by them. The final stanza of the poem brings the message home with the line "Forbidden, they obscurely bless." This line suggests that the secrets of the sky are both forbidden and blessed, adding to the mystery and allure of the poem.
Now, let's take a closer look at the literary devices used in The Skies can't keep their secret! Dickinson uses several literary devices to convey the poem's meaning and add to its beauty. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is personification. The skies are personified throughout the poem, with the suggestion that they have secrets that they cannot keep. This personification adds to the poem's mystical quality and makes it easier for readers to connect with the natural world.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the changing colors of the sky, with lines such as "The sunset caught in the trees" and "The sunrise running on the grass." These images help to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader, as they imagine the beauty of the sky at different times of the day.
Finally, Dickinson uses repetition to emphasize the poem's message. The phrase "They tell it" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that the secrets of the sky are shared with the natural world and its inhabitants. This repetition also adds to the poem's musicality and makes it easier to remember.
In conclusion, The Skies can't keep their secret! is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the mystery and allure of nature. Dickinson's use of personification, imagery, and repetition help to convey the poem's message and add to its beauty. The poem's structure and brevity also add to its impact, emphasizing the idea that the secrets of the sky cannot be kept for long. This classic piece of literature is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and continues to inspire readers today.
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