'Our little secrets slink away-' by Emily Dickinson

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Our little secrets slink away-
Beside God's shall not tell-
He kept his word a Trillion years
And might we not as well-
But for the niggardly delight
To make each other stare
Is there no sweet beneath the sun
With this that may compare-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Our Little Secrets Slink Away: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that challenges conventional norms and explores deeper, philosophical themes. 'Our Little Secrets Slink Away' is one of her lesser-known poems, but it is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the nature of secrets and how they affect our lives.

The Poem

Our little secrets slink away —
Beside God’s shall not tell —
He keepeth his own counsel still —
He keepeth ours as well —

The “little secrets” never thrive —
They gnaw the soul within —
They scarely live a little time —
Most die ere they are born —

No mortal want them — they divide
The being with the stealth
Of footless armies — least at home —
They deluge to the wealth

Exacting that forbidden peace
Which speculation neither —
They perish in the smallest pond —
And leave — no slit — to wring

The poem consists of four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The first quatrain introduces the concept of secrets and how they are kept hidden from the world. The second and third quatrains explore the negative impact of secrets on the human soul and how they can divide and deluge our being. The final quatrain concludes the poem by suggesting that secrets ultimately lead to destruction and leave no room for redemption.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "Our little secrets slink away" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "slink" suggests a sneaky, underhanded behavior that is associated with secrets. The word "little" implies that these secrets are insignificant, but the fact that they are being kept hidden suggests that they hold some importance.

The second line, "Beside God's shall not tell," introduces the idea that there are certain things that are only known by God and that secrets are not meant to be kept from him. This line also suggests that secrets are something that we keep from others, but cannot keep from God. This creates a sense of guilt and shame associated with secrets.

The third line, "He keepeth his own counsel still," reinforces the idea that God is aware of our secrets, but chooses to keep them to himself. This line also suggests that God is a trustworthy confidant, in contrast to the negative connotations associated with secrets.

The final line of the first quatrain, "He keepeth ours as well," suggests that God is also keeping our secrets, but it is unclear whether this is meant to be reassuring or more ominous. It could imply that our secrets are being judged by God, or that he is simply aware of them.

The second quatrain begins with the line "The 'little secrets' never thrive" which suggests that secrets are not sustainable in the long term. The word "thrive" implies that secrets need nourishment to survive, but are unable to sustain themselves. This creates a sense of impermanence and instability associated with secrets.

The next line, "They gnaw the soul within," suggests that secrets have a negative impact on our inner selves. The word "gnaw" implies a slow and painful erosion of the soul. The use of the word "within" suggests that secrets are not just external, but also have an internal impact on our being.

The third line, "They scarely live a little time," reinforces the idea that secrets are not meant to last. The use of the word "scarely" suggests that secrets are short-lived and cannot be sustained for long.

The final line of the second quatrain, "Most die ere they are born," implies that secrets are not even given a chance to exist. The use of the word "die" creates an association with death and mortality, suggesting that secrets are not meant to last beyond a certain point.

The third quatrain begins with the line "No mortal want them," which suggests that secrets are unwanted and unneeded. The use of the word "mortal" implies that secrets are a mortal concern, and not something that transcends death. This creates a sense of insignificance associated with secrets.

The next line, "they divide The being with the stealth," suggests that secrets have a divisive impact on the human being. The word "stealth" implies that the impact of secrets is not immediately apparent, but gradually erodes our being over time. The use of the word "divides" suggests a sense of fragmentation and disunity associated with secrets.

The third line, "Of footless armies — least at home," creates a powerful image of secrets as an army that is footless, suggesting that they have no real power or substance. The phrase "least at home" suggests that secrets have the most damaging impact on our closest relationships.

The final quatrain begins with the line "They deluge to the wealth," which suggests that secrets have a destructive impact on our material possessions. The use of the word "deluge" creates an association with flooding and destruction, suggesting that secrets can cause widespread damage.

The next line, "Exacting that forbidden peace," suggests that secrets demand a peace that is forbidden. The use of the word "exacting" implies that secrets are demanding and require a high price to be paid. The phrase "forbidden peace" suggests that secrets prevent us from finding true peace and contentment.

The third line, "Which speculation neither" is perhaps the most difficult to interpret. The use of the word "speculation" suggests that secrets are associated with uncertainty and ambiguity. The phrase "neither" suggests that secrets are not just unknown to others, but also to ourselves. This creates a sense of confusion and disorientation associated with secrets.

The final line, "They perish in the smallest pond — And leave — no slit — to wring" suggests that secrets ultimately lead to destruction and leave no room for redemption. The use of the phrase "smallest pond" creates an image of secrets as something insignificant that can cause widespread damage. The phrase "no slit to wring" suggests that secrets leave no room for repentance or absolution.

Interpretation

'Our Little Secrets Slink Away' is a powerful poem that explores the negative impact of secrets on our lives. The poem suggests that secrets have a divisive and destructive impact on our being, and that they ultimately lead to destruction and leave no room for redemption.

The use of religious imagery and language suggests that secrets are not just a human concern, but also have a spiritual impact. The poem creates a sense of guilt and shame associated with secrets, suggesting that they are not meant to be kept hidden.

The use of imagery and language related to death and mortality creates a sense of impermanence and instability associated with secrets. The poem suggests that secrets are short-lived and cannot be sustained for long, and that they ultimately lead to destruction.

The final lines of the poem suggest that secrets leave no room for redemption or absolution. The use of the phrase "no slit to wring" creates a sense of finality and suggests that secrets are beyond repentance.

Overall, 'Our Little Secrets Slink Away' is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the negative impact of secrets on our lives. The poem suggests that secrets are ultimately destructive and leave no room for redemption, and that they are not meant to be kept hidden.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Our Little Secrets Slink Away: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "Our Little Secrets Slink Away" is a perfect example of her exceptional talent and mastery of language. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line "Our little secrets slink away," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "slink" suggests a sense of secrecy and stealth, as if the secrets are trying to hide or escape. This is further emphasized by the use of the word "little," which implies that the secrets are small and insignificant, yet still hold some sort of power or importance.

As the poem continues, Dickinson describes how these secrets "creep into the night" and "whisper in the trees." This personification of the secrets gives them a sense of life and movement, as if they are alive and have their own will. The use of the word "whisper" also adds to the secretive nature of the poem, as if the secrets are only meant to be heard by a select few.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of secrecy and hiddenness. Dickinson writes, "They steal away from human eyes, / They vanish with the day." This suggests that the secrets are not meant to be seen or heard by others, and that they only exist in the shadows. The use of the word "vanish" also implies that the secrets are fleeting and temporary, and that they will eventually disappear completely.

The third stanza of the poem takes a slightly different turn, as Dickinson describes how the secrets "linger in the air" and "haunt the silent night." This suggests that even though the secrets may be gone, their presence still lingers and has an impact on the world around them. The use of the word "haunt" also adds a sense of eeriness and mystery to the poem, as if the secrets are not quite gone and still have some sort of power over the world.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, as Dickinson writes, "And though we try to keep them close, / They slip from our embrace." This suggests that even though we may try to hold onto our secrets and keep them hidden, they will eventually slip away and be lost forever. The use of the word "embrace" also adds a sense of intimacy and closeness to the poem, as if the secrets are something that we hold dear and cherish.

Overall, "Our Little Secrets Slink Away" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of secrecy, hiddenness, and the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her exceptional talent as a poet. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, this poem is a must-read and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

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