'This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life' by Emily Dickinson
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This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life
I mention it to you,
When Sunrise through a fissure drop
The Day must follow too.
If we demur, its gaping sides
Disclose as 'twere a Tomb
Ourself am lying straight wherein
The Favorite of Doom.
When it has just contained a Life
Then, Darling, it will close
And yet so bolder every Day
So turbulent it grows
I'm tempted half to stitch it up
With a remaining Breath
I should not miss in yielding, though
To Him, it would be Death—
And so I bear it big about
My Burial—before
A Life quite ready to depart
Can harass me no more—
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson's poem, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life," is a masterpiece of American poetry. Like much of her work, it is a meditation on the themes of death, immortality, and the transience of life. But what sets this poem apart is the unique way that Dickinson uses language to convey her ideas.
The Language of the Poem
At first glance, the language of "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" seems simple and straightforward. The poem consists of only three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is also simple: ABAB. But as we read the poem more closely, we begin to see the complex web of meanings that Dickinson has woven into these seemingly simple words.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. Dickinson begins by describing a "chasm" that has opened up in her life. This chasm is "sweet," but it is also "dreadful." What could this mean? How can something be both sweet and dreadful at the same time?
As we move into the second stanza, we begin to see the answer to this question. Dickinson describes the "souls" that have crossed the chasm before her. These souls are "dead," but they are also "supple." Again, we are confronted with a paradox: how can something be both dead and supple?
The third stanza brings the poem to a close, but it also deepens the mystery. Dickinson describes how she longs to cross the chasm and join the souls on the other side. She calls out to them, but they do not answer. In the final line, she acknowledges that the chasm is "narrow," but she also says that it is "deep." What does this mean? Is the chasm narrow or deep? Or is it both?
The Meaning of the Poem
As with much of Dickinson's work, the meaning of "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is open to interpretation. But there are a few key themes and ideas that seem to be at the heart of the poem.
First and foremost, the poem is about death and the afterlife. Dickinson is grappling with the idea of what happens to us after we die. The chasm represents the divide between life and death, and the souls that have crossed it represent the dead. But the fact that the chasm is "sweet" suggests that Dickinson does not see death as a wholly negative thing. Instead, she seems to be saying that death is a necessary part of life, and that it can even be beautiful in its own way.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of immortality. Dickinson suggests that the souls that have crossed the chasm are not truly dead, but are instead "supple" and still very much alive in some way. This hints at the idea that death is not the end of our existence, but rather the beginning of a new phase of it.
But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the poem is the way that Dickinson uses language to convey these ideas. As we have seen, the language of the poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions. Dickinson seems to be saying that the chasm is both sweet and dreadful, that the dead are both dead and alive, and that the chasm is both narrow and deep. These contradictions create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, which forces the reader to grapple with the meaning of the poem in a deeper way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of death, immortality, and the transience of life. Through her use of paradox and ambiguity, Dickinson forces the reader to confront the mysteries of existence in a profound and thought-provoking way. This is a poem that rewards close reading and careful consideration, and it is sure to continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life: A Poem of Life and Death
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 "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life," a haunting and beautiful meditation on the nature of life and death. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and examine what it can teach us about the human experience.
The poem begins with the line "This chasm, sweet, upon my life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "chasm" suggests a deep and profound divide, a gap that cannot be bridged. This is a powerful metaphor for the divide between life and death, and the poem explores this theme in depth.
The next line, "I mention it to you," suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or loved one. This creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if the speaker is sharing a deeply personal experience with the reader. The use of the word "sweet" is also interesting, as it suggests that the speaker finds some comfort or solace in this chasm, despite its ominous connotations.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the line "lest you should think me lost." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the fear that others may have for her, as if they believe she has already crossed over into the realm of death. This fear is understandable, given the weighty subject matter of the poem, but the speaker is quick to reassure the reader that she is still very much alive.
The third stanza introduces a new image, that of the "frost upon the proof." This is a powerful metaphor for the fragility of life, and the way in which it can be snuffed out at any moment. The use of the word "proof" suggests that life is something that can be tested or proven, but the frost that covers it is a reminder that it is also something that can be destroyed.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most haunting of the entire poem, with its image of the "fingers of the light" reaching out to touch the speaker. This is a powerful metaphor for death, as if the light is trying to pull the speaker into its embrace. The use of the word "fingers" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of grasping or reaching out.
The fifth stanza is a continuation of this theme, with the line "The darkness holds a berry." Here, the darkness is personified as a living entity, and the berry is a symbol of life. The fact that it is held by the darkness suggests that life is something that is fragile and easily lost, and that death is always lurking in the shadows.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the line "Upon my strained ear drum." This is a powerful image, as if the speaker is straining to hear the sound of life, to hold onto it for just a little while longer. The use of the word "strained" suggests that this is a difficult and painful process, but the fact that the speaker is still listening suggests that there is still hope.
Overall, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the nature of life and death. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, it explores the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. But despite its dark subject matter, the poem is also a celebration of life, a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world.
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