'On that specific Pillow' by Emily Dickinson

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On that specific Pillow
Our projects flit away-
The Night's tremendous Morrow
And whether sleep will stay
Or usher us-a stranger-
To situations new
The effort to comprise it
Is all the soul can do.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"On that specific Pillow" by Emily Dickinson: A Treasure Trove of Metaphors and Emotions

Has there ever been a poet quite like Emily Dickinson? Her poems, riddled with metaphors and deeply felt emotions, continue to mesmerize readers more than a century after her death. "On that specific Pillow" is no exception. This poem is a treasure trove of hidden meanings and complex emotions, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of this wonderful piece of poetry.

The Poem in Context

Before we dive deep into the poem, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature, and she spent most of her life in her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was here that she wrote most of her poetry, which remained largely unknown until after her death.

"On that specific Pillow" was likely written in the mid-1860s, a period during which Dickinson experienced a great deal of personal loss. Her father died in 1874, followed by her mother in 1882. Her close friend and mentor, Reverend Charles Wadsworth, also passed away during this time. It is possible that this poem was written in response to one of these losses, or perhaps to the general sense of isolation that she felt throughout her life.

The Poem: A Close Reading

Now let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here is the text in full:

On that specific Pillow Our projects flit away— The Night's tremendous Morrow And whether sleep will stay

Or usher us— a stranger— To situations new The effort to comprise it Is all the soul can do—

The Pillow as a Metaphor

The first thing that stands out about this poem is the use of the word "Pillow." In the context of the poem, the Pillow represents a place of rest and respite. It is where we go to escape the turmoil of the world, to lay our heads down and let go of our worries. However, the use of the word "specific" suggests that this is not just any Pillow, but one that is particularly important or significant.

This significance becomes even clearer in the first line when Dickinson writes, "On that specific Pillow / Our projects flit away—" Here, "projects" could refer to anything from work or chores to personal goals or dreams. The implication is that the Pillow is a place where we can let go of our earthly concerns and focus on something more spiritual or profound.

The Night's Tremendous Morrow

The second line of the poem is equally intriguing. "The Night's tremendous Morrow" is a phrase that is open to interpretation. At face value, it could simply mean the day that follows a night of sleep. However, the word "tremendous" suggests that there is something more significant at play.

One possible interpretation is that the Night's Morrow represents the future, the unknown that lies ahead. The use of the word "tremendous" suggests that this unknown is both powerful and awe-inspiring. This idea is further reinforced in the following lines, which suggest that the future is something that we have little control over.

The Stranger in the Night

The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce the idea of a stranger, someone who may or may not usher us into new situations. This stranger could represent the future, the unknown that lies ahead. The fact that we have no control over whether this stranger will stay or go suggests that the future is unpredictable and beyond our control.

The Effort to Comprise It

The final two lines of the poem bring the themes of the Pillow, the Night's Morrow, and the stranger together. Dickinson writes, "The effort to comprise it / Is all the soul can do." Here, "comprise" could mean to understand or to contain. The implication is that our souls are struggling to make sense of the unknown future, to understand what lies ahead.

The fact that "all the soul can do" is to make an effort suggests that there is a sense of futility in trying to understand or control the future. The Pillow, which was once a place of rest and respite, now becomes a place of struggle and uncertainty. The Night's Morrow, which was once a source of awe and wonder, now becomes a source of anxiety and fear.

Conclusion

So what can we take away from this poem? "On that specific Pillow" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and the themes of loss, isolation, and uncertainty that are present throughout Dickinson's work. The Pillow, the Night's Morrow, and the stranger in the night are all metaphors for the human experience, a reminder that we are all struggling to make sense of the unknown future.

At its core, this poem is a reminder that life is unpredictable and that we have little control over what lies ahead. It is a call to embrace the uncertainty and to find comfort in the unknown. Perhaps, like Dickinson, we can find solace in our own specific Pillow, a place where we can let go of our earthly concerns and focus on something more spiritual or profound.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and inspire the mind. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this craft. Her poem "Poetry On that specific Pillow" is a beautiful example of her ability to capture the essence of life and convey it through her words.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry on that specific pillow," which immediately draws the reader in. The use of the word "specific" suggests that there is something unique about this pillow, something that sets it apart from all others. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with imagery and metaphor.

The second line of the poem reads, "Lavender and yellow and white." Here, Dickinson is using color to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Lavender is often associated with calmness and relaxation, while yellow is associated with happiness and joy. White, on the other hand, is often associated with purity and innocence. Together, these colors create a sense of peace and tranquility.

The third line of the poem reads, "The dreamy light that lies upon the room." Here, Dickinson is using light to create a sense of atmosphere. The use of the word "dreamy" suggests that the light is soft and hazy, creating a dream-like quality to the room. This is further emphasized by the use of the word "lies," which suggests that the light is resting gently on the room.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Wherefrom the daring bee." Here, Dickinson is using the image of a bee to create a sense of movement and activity. Bees are known for their industriousness and their ability to move quickly from flower to flower. By using the image of a bee, Dickinson is suggesting that there is a sense of energy and movement in the room.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Is one of the sweetest sights to see." Here, Dickinson is using the image of the bee to create a sense of beauty and wonder. Bees are often associated with the beauty of nature, and by using this image, Dickinson is suggesting that there is something beautiful and wondrous about the room.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "And then the windows failed, and then." Here, Dickinson is using the image of a failing window to create a sense of vulnerability and fragility. Windows are often associated with protection and safety, and by using the image of a failing window, Dickinson is suggesting that there is a sense of vulnerability in the room.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "I could not see to see." Here, Dickinson is using the repetition of the word "see" to create a sense of confusion and disorientation. The use of the phrase "could not see" suggests that there is something blocking the speaker's vision, creating a sense of uncertainty and confusion.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "I could not see to look." Here, Dickinson is using the repetition of the word "see" to create a sense of frustration and helplessness. The use of the phrase "could not see" suggests that the speaker is unable to see what they want to see, creating a sense of frustration and helplessness.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Some things that glance in me." Here, Dickinson is using the image of something glancing to create a sense of fleetingness and transience. The use of the word "glance" suggests that the speaker is only catching a glimpse of something, creating a sense of fleetingness and transience.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "That happen possibly." Here, Dickinson is using the word "possibly" to create a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity. The use of this word suggests that the speaker is unsure of what is happening, creating a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "But when my pillow was alight." Here, Dickinson is using the image of a pillow being alight to create a sense of warmth and comfort. The use of the word "alight" suggests that the pillow is glowing with warmth and comfort, creating a sense of coziness and security.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "With hearthside faces in it." Here, Dickinson is using the image of hearthside faces to create a sense of familiarity and comfort. The use of this image suggests that the speaker is surrounded by familiar faces, creating a sense of warmth and comfort.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "And then I knew that I was home." Here, Dickinson is using the image of being home to create a sense of belonging and comfort. The use of this image suggests that the speaker has found a place where they belong, creating a sense of comfort and security.

In conclusion, "Poetry On that specific Pillow" is a beautiful example of Emily Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of life and convey it through her words. Through her use of imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a vivid picture of a room filled with beauty, wonder, and vulnerability. She captures the fleetingness of life, the uncertainty of the future, and the comfort of home. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and inspire the mind.

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