'To wait an Hour—is long' by Emily Dickinson

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To wait an Hour—is long—
If Love be just beyond—
To wait Eternity—is short—
If Love reward the end—

Editor 1 Interpretation

"To wait an Hour—is long" by Emily Dickinson

Wow! What a poem! Emily Dickinson's "To wait an Hour—is long" is a masterpiece of concise expression and deep emotion. In just six lines, Dickinson captures the intense feeling of anticipation that can make even a short wait seem like an eternity. But there's more to this poem than just a description of waiting; it's a meditation on the nature of time, and the ways in which our perception of it can shape our experience of the world.

Let's take a closer look at the poem and explore some of its key themes and motifs.

Form and Structure

Before we dive into the content of the poem, let's talk about its form and structure. "To wait an Hour—is long" is a six-line poem written in ballad meter (four feet per line, alternating between iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter). This gives the poem a lilting, singsong quality that belies its somber subject matter. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, with the final couplet standing out as the only rhyming couplet in the poem. This creates a sense of closure and resolution that is only partially realized; the poem ends with a question, leaving the reader to ponder its implications.

The brevity of the poem is also worth noting. Dickinson was known for her economy of language, and "To wait an Hour—is long" is a prime example of her ability to distill complex emotions into just a few words. The poem's brevity also emphasizes its central theme: the way in which time can seem to stretch out endlessly when we're waiting for something.

Theme: Time and Perception

At its core, "To wait an Hour—is long" is a poem about time and the way in which our perception of it can shape our experience of the world. The titular line, "To wait an Hour—is long," suggests that the mere act of waiting can alter our perception of time; an hour that might normally fly by can seem interminable when we're waiting for something. But why is this?

One possible explanation is that our perception of time is influenced by our level of engagement with the world around us. When we're actively engaged in an activity, time seems to pass more quickly; we don't notice the minutes ticking by because we're absorbed in the moment. But when we're waiting for something, we're often forced to be passive observers, watching the clock tick by without any agency or control. This lack of engagement can make time seem to stretch out endlessly, as we yearn for the moment when we can finally take action again.

Dickinson captures this feeling beautifully in the second half of the poem. The phrase "Till Love droops his tired wing" suggests that the waiting is especially painful because it's for something that we deeply desire. Love, in this case, is personified as a bird (a common motif in Dickinson's poetry), and the image of its "tired wing" conveys a sense of exhaustion and longing. The final couplet, "And Joy is unattained / Till across a fevered limit / He recedes, infamed," reinforces this sense of longing and unfulfilled desire. The phrase "fevered limit" suggests that the waiting is causing physical and emotional distress, while the word "infamed" (which means disgraced or disreputable) suggests that there may be some negative consequences associated with the waiting.

Interpretation

So what does it all mean? At its core, "To wait an Hour—is long" is a meditation on the nature of time and the way in which our perception of it can shape our experience of the world. But it's also a deeply personal poem, rooted in Dickinson's own experiences of waiting and longing.

One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on Dickinson's own struggles with love and romance. Dickinson was famously reclusive and had few romantic relationships in her life, but she was known to have intense crushes on both men and women. Some scholars have suggested that "To wait an Hour—is long" is a reflection of the pain and longing she felt as she waited for these crushes to reciprocate her feelings.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a broader commentary on the human condition. We all experience waiting and longing at some point in our lives, whether it's for love, success, or simply a change of circumstances. In this sense, Dickinson's poem is a universal expression of the human experience of time and waiting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "To wait an Hour—is long" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the intensity of waiting and longing. Through its concise language and lilting meter, Dickinson conveys the way in which our perception of time can shape our experience of the world. Whether read as a reflection of Dickinson's own experiences or as a broader commentary on the human condition, this poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture complex emotions in just a few words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Wait an Hour – Is Long: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems is “To Wait an Hour – Is Long,” which explores the theme of time and its impact on human emotions. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem and analyze its various literary devices and techniques.

The poem begins with the line, “To wait an hour – is long,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is expressing their impatience and frustration at having to wait for something, and the use of the word “long” emphasizes the intensity of their feelings. The next line, “If Love be just beyond the door,” reveals the reason for the speaker’s waiting – they are waiting for their beloved to arrive. This creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as the reader wonders what will happen when the lover finally arrives.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of waiting and anticipation, with the speaker describing how they “watch the slow hand move” and “count the moments as they go.” This creates a sense of tension and suspense, as the reader is left wondering when the lover will finally arrive. The use of the word “slow” emphasizes the speaker’s impatience and frustration, as they feel that time is moving too slowly.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time as a “thief,” stealing away precious moments and leaving the speaker feeling empty and alone. The line, “And steal the little time we have,” suggests that the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of time and is afraid of wasting it. This creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the speaker realizes that they must make the most of the time they have with their beloved.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of “hope,” which the speaker clings to in order to get through the long wait. The line, “But Hope is strong, and waits too,” suggests that the speaker believes that their love will eventually arrive, and that they must have faith and patience in order to endure the wait. This creates a sense of optimism and resilience, as the speaker refuses to give up hope even in the face of adversity.

The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of waiting full circle, with the speaker declaring that “To wait an hour – is long,” once again. However, this time the tone is different – the speaker is no longer frustrated or impatient, but rather resigned to their fate. The line, “But sorrow is a further thing,” suggests that the speaker has come to accept that waiting is a part of life, and that there are more important things to worry about than the passing of time.

In terms of literary devices, Dickinson employs a number of techniques to create a sense of tension and suspense in the poem. For example, she uses repetition to emphasize the theme of waiting, with the phrase “To wait an hour – is long” appearing twice in the poem. She also uses imagery to create a sense of time passing, with the line “watch the slow hand move” evoking the image of a clock ticking away the minutes.

In addition, Dickinson uses metaphor to explore the theme of time and its impact on human emotions. For example, she compares time to a “thief” that steals away precious moments, and to a “slow hand” that moves too slowly for the speaker’s liking. These metaphors create a sense of urgency and desperation, as the speaker realizes that time is slipping away and that they must make the most of the time they have.

Overall, “To Wait an Hour – Is Long” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of time and its impact on human emotions. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and metaphor, Dickinson creates a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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