'Lain in Nature—so suffice us' by Emily Dickinson


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Lain in Nature—so suffice us
The enchantless Pod
When we advertise existence
For the missing Seed—

Maddest Heart that God created
Cannot move a sod
Pasted by the simple summer
On the Longed for Dead

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lain in Nature—so suffice us written by Emily Dickinson

When it comes to poetry, Emily Dickinson is a name that needs no introduction. Her works have been hailed as masterpieces of American literature, and her distinctive style has earned her a place in the pantheon of great poets. Among her many poems, "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written" stands out as a haunting meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the enduring power of the natural world.

Analysis of the Poem

At first glance, "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written" appears to be a simple meditation on death and the natural world. The poem is divided into two stanzas of equal length, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the speaker as "Lain in Nature," a phrase that suggests a sense of peace and contentment. The second stanza takes a more ominous turn, acknowledging the inevitability of death and the fact that even the most enduring works of humanity will eventually be forgotten.

Despite its apparently straightforward structure, "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written" is a deeply complex and multilayered work. The poem is full of rich imagery and subtle wordplay, which combine to create a sense of profound unease and melancholy. The very title of the poem, with its use of the archaic word "suffice," suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance: we are all destined to be forgotten, and even the most profound works of art can do little to change that fact.

The first stanza of the poem is a celebration of the natural world, which is presented as a source of comfort and reassurance. The speaker is "Lain in Nature," a phrase that suggests a sense of peaceful repose. The use of the passive voice here creates a sense of detachment and distance, as if the speaker is already at one with nature and has surrendered themselves to its rhythms and cycles. The phrase "so suffice us written" emphasizes the enduring power of nature, which is capable of sustaining us even as we face our own mortality.

The second stanza takes a more somber tone, acknowledging the inevitability of death and the fact that even the most enduring works of humanity will eventually be forgotten. The line "The Stone the Builders rejected" is a reference to a biblical passage in which Jesus is described as the cornerstone that was rejected by the builders. The implication here is that even the most important and meaningful works of humanity may be overlooked or ignored, just as the cornerstone was rejected by those who should have recognized its significance.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs a number of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. The use of personification, for example, is particularly effective in creating a sense of ominous foreboding. The phrase "the Wind—did decimate" suggests a sense of malevolent agency, as if the wind itself is actively working to destroy and erode the works of humanity. Similarly, the use of the word "grind" in the second stanza creates a sense of relentless, grinding inevitability, as if the forces of nature are capable of wearing down even the strongest and most enduring monuments.

Interpretation of the Poem

So what is the deeper meaning behind "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the enduring power of the natural world. By presenting nature as a source of comfort and reassurance, Dickinson suggests that the only way to come to terms with our own mortality is to surrender ourselves to the rhythms and cycles of the natural world. At the same time, however, she acknowledges the ultimate futility of human endeavor, suggesting that even the most profound works of art and literature may eventually be forgotten.

One possible interpretation of the poem is as a critique of human hubris. The phrase "The Stone the Builders rejected" suggests a sense of arrogance and self-importance, as if the builders believed that they could create something that would endure forever. By contrast, nature is presented as a force beyond human control, capable of both sustaining us and destroying us in equal measure. The poem may be read as a warning against the dangers of taking ourselves too seriously, and a reminder that ultimately we are all subject to the same laws of nature.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is as a celebration of the cyclical nature of life. The phrase "Lain in Nature" suggests a sense of surrender and acceptance, as if the speaker has come to terms with their own mortality and is at one with the natural world. By presenting nature as a source of comfort and reassurance, Dickinson may be suggesting that the only way to find meaning in our lives is to embrace the cyclical nature of existence and to surrender ourselves to the rhythms and cycles of the natural world.

Ultimately, however, the meaning of "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written" remains open to interpretation. The poem is a rich and complex work of art, full of subtle imagery and wordplay. Dickinson's distinctive style, with its use of sparse language and enigmatic imagery, makes it a challenging but rewarding work for readers who are willing to delve beneath the surface. Whether read as a meditation on human mortality, a critique of human hubris, or a celebration of the cyclical nature of life, "Lain in Nature—so suffice us written" stands as a haunting and unforgettable work of American literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lain in Nature—so suffice us written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful representation of nature and its ability to provide solace and comfort to those who seek it. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "Lain in Nature—so suffice us," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is suggesting that being in nature is enough to satisfy us, and that we do not need anything else. This sentiment is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the beauty and wonder of nature.

The first stanza of the poem describes the beauty of the natural world. The speaker describes the "dewy grass" and the "sapphire sky," painting a vivid picture of a serene and peaceful landscape. The use of color imagery is particularly effective here, as it helps to create a sense of calm and tranquility.

In the second stanza, the speaker goes on to describe the sounds of nature. The "whispering breeze" and the "rippling brook" are both examples of auditory imagery that help to create a sense of movement and life in the poem. The use of personification is also notable here, as the speaker describes the brook as "laughing" and the wind as "whispering." This personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and nature, as if they are old friends.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker suggests that nature has the ability to heal us. The line "Nature is what we know—yet have no art to say" suggests that nature is something that we instinctively understand, but that we cannot fully express in words. The speaker goes on to describe the healing power of nature, saying that it can "soothe us like an opiate" and "cool us like the snow." This imagery is particularly effective, as it helps to create a sense of comfort and safety.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker suggests that we should all take the time to appreciate and connect with nature. The line "Let us have nature then, and let us have her now" is a powerful statement, urging us to take action and make a connection with the natural world. The use of the word "now" is particularly effective, as it suggests that we should not wait to connect with nature, but rather do it immediately.

Overall, Lain in Nature—so suffice us is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The use of vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor all help to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and nature, and to convey the healing power of the natural world. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of connecting with nature, and of the solace and comfort that it can provide.

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