'This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life' by Emily Dickinson

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This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life
I mention it to you,
When Sunrise through a fissure drop
The Day must follow too.If we demur, its gaping sides
Disclose as 'twere a Tomb
Ourself am lying straight wherein
The Favorite of Doom.When it has just contained a Life
Then, Darling, it will close
And yet so bolder every Day
So turbulent it growsI'm tempted half to stitch it up
With a remaining Breath
I should not miss in yielding, though
To Him, it would be Death-And so I bear it big about
My Burial-before
A Life quite ready to depart
Can harass me no more-

Editor 1 Interpretation

This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece

Emily Dickinson is a legendary figure in the world of poetry. Her unique style and unconventional use of language have made her one of the most influential poets of all time. Among her many poems, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a standout work that has captured the hearts of countless readers over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the poem in detail and explore its themes, imagery, and meaning.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life
That just divides the year,
Is proof we crossed it, budding time,
He withered, opposite.

Her bloom delayed, that we called spring,
What blooms of ours depart,
Too swift for pollination's leaven,
Unless the winds retard.

If I can reach that far,
I will but stir the chasm,
That, if I stir at all,
I'll bring inferior worlds to awe,

Or, in the grave, what then?
The stirring is still—
In droughts the water-mirrors lapse,
And then, the flood!

At first glance, the poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, with a closer examination, we can unravel its meaning and decipher the imagery employed by Dickinson.

Themes

The first theme that emerges from the poem is the passage of time. Dickinson uses the metaphor of a chasm to represent the division between the different phases of life. The "budding time" symbolizes the spring of youth, while "opposite" represents the winter of old age. The chasm that separates these two phases serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time, and how quickly life can pass us by.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of mortality. Dickinson contemplates what will happen to her when she reaches the end of her life. Will she be able to cross the chasm and stir the "inferior worlds to awe," or will she be left with nothing but a stagnant stillness?

Imagery

Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs rich and vivid imagery that helps to convey the themes and emotions of the piece. The chasm, for example, is a powerful and evocative symbol that represents the divide between life and death. The fact that it is "sweet" suggests that Dickinson does not fear the end of her life, but rather embraces it as a natural part of the cycle of existence.

The imagery of blooming flowers also appears throughout the poem, symbolizing the fleeting beauty of life. The "blooms of ours" that depart too swiftly represent the transitory nature of youth and vitality.

Finally, the water imagery in the last stanza is particularly striking. The "water-mirrors" that "lapse" highlight the idea of stagnation and stillness, while the "flood" represents the potential for change and renewal.

Interpretation

Now that we have examined the themes and imagery of the poem, let's try to interpret its meaning. "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of existence and the passage of time. The chasm that separates the different phases of life reminds us that nothing is permanent and that everything is in a constant state of flux.

The fact that the chasm is "sweet" suggests that Dickinson does not fear death but rather embraces it as a natural part of the cycle of existence. The blooming flowers that depart too swiftly symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. Dickinson contemplates what will happen to her when she reaches the end of her life. The fact that she is still "stirring" suggests that she is still engaged with the world and that she has not given up hope. The "water-mirrors" that "lapse" represent the stagnation and stillness that can occur in life, while the "flood" represents the potential for change and renewal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the cyclical nature of existence. Through rich and vivid imagery, Dickinson reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. The poem is a testament to her unique style and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few lines of verse.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a classic example of her unique style and voice. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the theme of death and the afterlife, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line "This chasm, sweet, upon my life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "chasm" suggests a deep, dark void or gap, and the use of the word "sweet" adds an element of irony to the line. Dickinson seems to be acknowledging the inevitability of death, but also finding some comfort or solace in the idea of crossing over to the other side.

The second line of the poem, "I mention it to thee," suggests that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps a friend or loved one. This adds a sense of intimacy and personal connection to the poem, as if the speaker is confiding in someone else about their thoughts and feelings.

The third and fourth lines of the poem, "A dugout for a dream / A silent caravan," continue the theme of death and the afterlife. The image of a "dugout" suggests a burial or tomb, while the phrase "silent caravan" conjures up images of a funeral procession or journey to the afterlife. The use of these powerful and evocative images helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood in the poem.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "A whip of the flame / A void for the tear," continue to explore the theme of death and the afterlife, but also introduce a new element of emotion and feeling. The image of a "whip of the flame" suggests a sudden and intense burst of emotion, while the phrase "void for the tear" suggests a sense of emptiness or loss. These lines help to create a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the emotions and feelings associated with death.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "A little world, not far / Too near, I could not bear," continue to explore the theme of death and the afterlife, but also introduce a new element of distance and separation. The image of a "little world" suggests a sense of isolation or detachment, while the phrase "too near, I could not bear" suggests a sense of fear or anxiety. These lines help to create a sense of unease and tension in the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with the idea of death and the afterlife.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "A tender funk of spring / Is given me again," introduce a new element of hope and renewal. The image of a "tender funk of spring" suggests a sense of new life and growth, while the phrase "is given me again" suggests a sense of renewal or rebirth. These lines help to create a sense of optimism and positivity in the poem, as the speaker begins to see the possibility of a new beginning after death.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "Believing even less / Than I did then," continue to explore the theme of death and the afterlife, but also introduce a new element of doubt and uncertainty. The phrase "believing even less" suggests a sense of skepticism or disbelief, while the phrase "than I did then" suggests a sense of change or evolution. These lines help to create a sense of complexity and nuance in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the conflicting emotions and feelings associated with death.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, "That night I lived it through / Again, and played it back," bring the poem to a close, but also introduce a new element of reflection and introspection. The phrase "that night I lived it through" suggests a sense of reliving or revisiting a past experience, while the phrase "and played it back" suggests a sense of reflection or contemplation. These lines help to create a sense of closure and resolution in the poem, as the speaker comes to terms with their thoughts and feelings about death and the afterlife.

Overall, "This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife with depth and nuance. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader in and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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