'Just lost, when I was saved!' by Emily Dickinson
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Just lost, when I was saved!
Just felt the world go by!
Just girt me for the onset with Eternity,
When breath blew back,
And on the other side
I heard recede the disappointed tide!
Therefore, as One returned, I feel
Odd secrets of the line to tell!
Some Sailor, skirting foreign shores—
Some pale Reporter, from the awful doors
Before the Seal!
Next time, to stay!
Next time, the things to see
By Ear unheard,
Unscrutinized by Eye—
Next time, to tarry,
While the Ages steal—
Slow tramp the Centuries,
And the Cycles wheel!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Just Lost, When I Was Saved!: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated and enigmatic poets in American literature. Her poems, characterized by their brevity, sharp wit, and unconventional syntax, explore themes of nature, death, love, and the divine. One of the most intriguing of her poems is "Just lost, when I was saved!" In this literary criticism, we will examine this poem in depth and explore its possible meanings and interpretations.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let us first read it in its entirety:
Just lost, when I was saved!
Just felt the world go by!
Just girt me for the onset with eternity,
When breath blew back,
And on the other side
I heard recede the disappointed tide!
Therefore, as one returned, I feel,
Odd secrets of the line to tell!
Some sailor, skirting foreign shores,
Some pale reporter from the awful doors
Before the seal!
Next time, to stay!
Next time, the things to see
By ear unheard,
Unscrutinized by eye.
Next time, to tarry,
While the ages steal,—
Slow tramp the centuries,
And the cycles wheel.
Analysis
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple statement of a paradoxical experience. The speaker claims to have been "Just lost" and "Just felt the world go by," but then says she was "saved" and "girt...for the onset with eternity." The poem is structured in short, truncated lines that create a sense of urgency and breathlessness. The use of exclamation points also reinforces this feeling.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new element - the "disappointed tide" that recedes on the "other side" of the speaker's experience. This image suggests a struggle against the forces of nature and a feeling of disappointment or defeat. The third stanza then shifts again, with the speaker claiming to have "Odd secrets of the line to tell!" The use of the word "line" here is interesting - it could refer to a line of poetry, a line of text, or even a line or strand of life. The speaker then goes on to imagine two possible scenarios for her return - as a sailor or as a reporter from the afterlife.
The final stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "Next time" - a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker imagines a future in which she can stay and see things that are "Unscrutinized by eye." The repetition of the phrase "Next time" creates a sense of longing and anticipation, as if the speaker is looking forward to a future that is full of promise.
Interpretation
So what does the poem mean? As with many of Dickinson's poems, there is no one definitive interpretation. However, there are several possible ways to read "Just lost, when I was saved!"
One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on a near-death experience. The speaker may have felt herself slipping away and then been revived, giving her an odd perspective on life and death. The image of the "disappointed tide" could be a metaphor for the ebb and flow of life, with the speaker feeling defeated by the inevitability of death. The idea of returning as a sailor or a reporter from the afterlife could suggest that the speaker has had a glimpse of what lies ahead and wants to share it with others.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is about the creative process. Dickinson was known for her love of poetry and her dedication to writing. The image of the "line" could be a reference to the poetic line, with the speaker feeling that she has odd secrets to share with other poets or readers. The idea of returning next time could suggest that the speaker is looking forward to a future in which she can continue to write and create.
Finally, the poem could be read as a meditation on the nature of time and the human experience. The speaker seems to be caught between two worlds - one where she is lost and the other where she is saved. The idea of returning next time could suggest that the speaker sees life as a cycle or a wheel, with each turn bringing new experiences and opportunities.
Conclusion
"Just lost, when I was saved!" is a complex and intriguing poem that raises more questions than it answers. It is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to capture complex emotions and experiences in a few short lines. Whether read as a reflection on life and death, a meditation on the creative process, or a rumination on the nature of time, the poem is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Just lost, when I was saved! is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned American poets of the 19th century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with the line "Just lost, when I was saved!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the paradoxical nature of life. The speaker of the poem has just experienced a loss, but at the same time, she feels saved. This paradox is at the heart of the poem, and it is what makes it so powerful.
The second line of the poem reads, "Just felt the world go by!" This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is detached from the world around her. She is not actively participating in life; instead, she is observing it from a distance. This detachment is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is often associated with her own reclusive nature.
The third line of the poem reads, "Just girt me for the onset with eternity, when breath blew back." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that the speaker is preparing herself for death. She is "girt" or dressed for the "onset" or the beginning of eternity. However, just when she is ready to face death, "breath blew back." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has been given a second chance at life.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And on the distant road I heard the sound of feet." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not alone. She hears the sound of other people's footsteps on the "distant road." This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is not completely detached from the world around her. She is aware of the people around her, even if she is not actively participating in their lives.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "I wonder, softly, to myself, if out my tortured ear." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is questioning her own perception of the world. She wonders if what she is hearing is real or if it is just a product of her own "tortured ear." This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is in a state of uncertainty. She is not sure what is real and what is not.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "With distance on her bosom, from ours, herself as from an arbor." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is separated from the world around her. She is "from ours" or from the world of the living. She is "herself as from an arbor," which suggests that she is like a tree that is separate from the rest of the forest.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Unto a farther world, proceeded slowly, with the measured tread of flowers." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is moving towards a "farther world." This could be a reference to death or to some other unknown destination. The fact that she is moving "slowly" and with the "measured tread of flowers" suggests that she is not in a hurry. She is taking her time and enjoying the journey.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "Let the sweet birds, after a lifetime, still sing on." This line is significant because it suggests that life goes on even after death. The "sweet birds" continue to sing even after a lifetime has passed. This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker has come to accept the paradoxical nature of life. She has experienced loss, but she has also been saved. She has been detached from the world, but she has also been aware of it. She has prepared herself for death, but she has also been given a second chance at life. In the end, she accepts that life is full of contradictions and that it is up to each individual to make the most of it.
In conclusion, Just lost, when I was saved! is a powerful poem that explores the paradoxical nature of life. Through her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, Emily Dickinson creates a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The poem is a reflection on life, death, and the journey in between. It is a reminder that life is full of contradictions and that it is up to each individual to make the most of it.
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