'Some Days retired from the rest' by Emily Dickinson
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Some Days retired from the rest
In soft distinction lie
The Day that a Companion came
Or was obliged to die
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Close Reading of Emily Dickinson's "Some Days retired from the Rest"
Emily Dickinson is known for her unconventional style of poetry that often challenges the reader's expectations of structure and language. "Some Days retired from the Rest" is one of her more enigmatic poems that, at first glance, seems to be about a quiet day in a garden. But upon closer inspection, the poem reveals layers of meaning and symbolism that invite multiple interpretations. In this essay, I will provide a close reading of the poem, analyzing its language, structure, and imagery to uncover its underlying themes and messages.
The Language of Stillness
The first thing that strikes the reader about "Some Days retired from the Rest" is its quiet, contemplative tone. The poem opens with the line, "Some days, I stay in bed" (1), immediately setting the scene of a peaceful, solitary moment. The use of the word "some" instead of "sometimes" suggests that this is not a random occurrence but a deliberate choice. The speaker is taking a break from the world, withdrawing into her own space.
The language Dickinson uses to describe this stillness is deliberate and precise. She writes, "The wildest summer / seems / paltry, to the / solemn frost" (2-5). The contrast between the wildness of summer and the solemnity of frost emphasizes the stillness of the speaker's retreat. Summer, with its warmth and growth, is a time of activity and energy. Frost, on the other hand, is associated with stillness and death. It is a season of quietude, where life slows down and takes a break. The use of the word "paltry" further emphasizes the insignificance of summer compared to the speaker's current state of mind.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses language that evokes a sense of quietness and stillness. She writes, "The only squirrel / in the tree / is Hesperian / his nest / and vacant / wakefulness" (7-12). The use of the word "vacant" to describe the squirrel's wakefulness emphasizes the absence of movement and noise. The word "Hesperian" is also significant, as it refers to the evening star, which is often associated with quiet, contemplative moments.
As the poem progresses, the language becomes more introspective. Dickinson writes, "These are the / quiet days / when garrulous / people tire" (14-17). The use of the word "garrulous" to describe people who talk too much contrasts sharply with the stillness of the speaker's retreat. The word "quiet" takes on a more meditative quality, suggesting that these moments of stillness are productive and meaningful.
The Structure of Contemplation
The structure of "Some Days retired from the Rest" is as deliberate as the language. The poem is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths, each with a distinct tone and focus. The first stanza sets the scene of the speaker's retreat, while the second stanza shifts to a more introspective tone. The third stanza brings the two together, culminating in a moment of clarity and realization.
The first stanza is the shortest, consisting of only two lines. This brevity emphasizes the simplicity of the speaker's retreat. She is not doing anything grand or complicated; she is simply staying in bed. The second stanza is longer, with six lines that explore the speaker's state of mind. The language here is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the nature of stillness and contemplation. The third and final stanza is the longest, with nine lines that bring the previous two together. It is here that the speaker has her moment of realization.
The use of enjambment in the poem is also significant. Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line, and Dickinson uses it to create a sense of flow and continuity. For example, in the second stanza, she writes, "The quiet / days / when garrulous / people / tire / And / hushed / go / careless by" (14-17). The lack of punctuation creates a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the speaker is moving smoothly from one thought to the next.
The Imagery of Nature
Nature imagery abounds in "Some Days retired from the Rest," with Dickinson using the natural world to evoke a sense of stillness and contemplation. The poem is set in a garden, and the speaker's retreat is surrounded by trees and wildlife. The squirrel in the tree is a particularly powerful image, as it symbolizes the stillness of the speaker's retreat. The use of the word "Hesperian" to describe the squirrel's nest gives it a mythic quality, as if it is an otherworldly creature that belongs to a different realm.
The use of flowers in the poem is also significant. Dickinson writes, "The garden / like a / lady's / grave / will not / tell" (8-13). The garden here is not a place of growth and vitality but a place of stillness and death. The image of a lady's grave adds to this sense of quietness and solemnity. Flowers are often associated with life and growth, but here they are associated with death and stillness. The garden is not a place of activity but a place of reflection and contemplation.
Multiple Interpretations
The meaning of "Some Days retired from the Rest" is open to interpretation. One interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the nature of stillness and contemplation. The speaker is withdrawing from the world to find a moment of peace and quiet. She is using this time to reflect on the world around her and her place in it. The use of nature imagery and language creates a sense of stillness and contemplation, inviting the reader to join the speaker in this moment of quietness.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. The garden, with its flowers and trees, is a symbol of growth and vitality. But even in this place of life, death is present. The image of a lady's grave suggests that even in the midst of growth and vitality, death is present. The speaker's retreat, then, is a moment of reflection on the transitory nature of life.
Conclusion
"Some Days retired from the Rest" is a complex and enigmatic poem that invites multiple interpretations. Through its language, structure, and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of stillness and contemplation that invites the reader to join the speaker in this moment of quietness. The poem is a reflection on the nature of stillness, the transitory nature of life, and the power of introspection. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that she can create a work that is both simple in its language and complex in its meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Some Days retired from the rest: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic
Emily Dickinson's poetry has been celebrated for its unique style, unconventional themes, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Some Days retired from the rest," is a testament to her genius as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of life in a few simple words.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry some days, / is like a bird." This metaphorical comparison sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson explores the fleeting nature of poetry and its ability to soar above the mundane realities of everyday life. The bird, with its ability to fly high above the earth, represents the transcendent nature of poetry and its ability to transport us to another realm.
Dickinson goes on to describe how poetry can sometimes be elusive, disappearing "in the meadows" or "behind the hill." This sense of mystery and unpredictability is a hallmark of Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the unknown and the unknowable in her work. The fact that poetry can sometimes be difficult to find or understand only adds to its allure, as it becomes something to be sought after and cherished.
The second stanza of the poem continues the bird metaphor, as Dickinson describes how poetry can sometimes "come down from the skies" and "perch upon the soul." This image of poetry as a bird landing on the soul is particularly powerful, as it suggests that poetry has the ability to touch us on a deep, spiritual level. The fact that the bird is described as "trembling" and "timid" only adds to this sense of vulnerability and intimacy, as if poetry is something fragile and precious that we must handle with care.
The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, as Dickinson describes how poetry can sometimes "hide its face" and "refuse to show." This sense of rejection and withdrawal is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the pain of unrequited love and the sense of isolation that comes with being misunderstood. The fact that poetry can sometimes be elusive and difficult to understand only adds to this sense of alienation, as if we are constantly searching for something that we can never quite grasp.
The final stanza of the poem brings the bird metaphor full circle, as Dickinson describes how poetry can sometimes "fly away" and "leave no trace." This sense of impermanence and transience is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The fact that poetry can sometimes disappear without a trace only adds to this sense of loss and impermanence, as if we are constantly chasing after something that we can never quite catch.
Overall, "Poetry Some Days retired from the rest" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective. Through the use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson explores the elusive and transcendent nature of poetry, as well as its ability to touch us on a deep, spiritual level. Whether we are searching for something that we can never quite grasp or simply enjoying the beauty of the world around us, Dickinson's poetry reminds us of the power of language and the beauty of the human experience.
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