'Where Thou art-that-is Home' by Emily Dickinson


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Where Thou art-that-is Home-
Cashmere-or Calvary-the same-
Degree-or Shame-
I scarce esteem Location's Name-
So I may Come-What Thou dost-is Delight-
Bondage as Play-be sweet-
Imprisonment-Content-
And Sentence-Sacrament-
Just We two-meet-Where Thou art not-is Woe-
Tho' Bands of Spices-row-
What Thou dost not-Despair-
Tho' Gabriel-praise me-Sire-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home": A Study of the Human Condition

Emily Dickinson's poem "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home" is a powerful and evocative exploration of the human experience. In just four short stanzas, Dickinson captures the essence of what it means to be human: the search for meaning, the struggle for connection, and the desire for transcendence.

At its core, "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home" is a meditation on the nature of poetry and its relationship to the human condition. Throughout the poem, Dickinson grapples with the question of what poetry is and what it can offer us as human beings. She begins by posing a series of rhetorical questions, asking where poetry can be found and what it means to call it "home."

These questions are not meant to be answered in any literal sense; rather, they are intended to provoke thought and reflection in the reader. Dickinson is asking us to consider what poetry represents to us as individuals and as a society. Is it a refuge from the chaos and confusion of the world, a source of comfort and solace in difficult times? Or is it something more complex and multifaceted, offering us a glimpse into the deeper mysteries of existence?

As the poem progresses, Dickinson delves deeper into this question, exploring the ways in which poetry can serve as a bridge between the inner and outer worlds. She writes, "We poets sing of harvests, / Of fields and orchards ripe, / But many a heart with pleasure / Is breaking now tonight."

Here, Dickinson is acknowledging the way in which poetry can both reflect and shape our emotional experience of the world. The image of the "harvest" and the "fields and orchards ripe" suggests a sense of abundance and plenty, but this is juxtaposed with the sorrow and pain of those whose hearts are "breaking now tonight."

This tension between the beauty and the pain of existence is a recurrent theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is one that she explores in a particularly profound way in "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home." By acknowledging the complexity and nuance of the human experience, Dickinson is able to create a poem that resonates deeply with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of connection and community. Dickinson writes, "We poets sing of families, / Of brothers and of wives, / But are the songs we're singing / The songs of all our lives?"

Here, Dickinson is questioning the extent to which poetry can truly bring people together. While it is true that poets often write about universal themes such as love, loss, and longing, there is always the danger that these themes will be too abstract or too removed from the concrete realities of people's lives to truly foster a sense of community.

Nevertheless, Dickinson's poem offers a glimmer of hope that poetry can indeed serve as a means of connection and communion. She writes, "So when the night is troubled / With storm and wind and rain, / I'll call on thee, dear poetry, / To soothe my heart again."

This final stanza is perhaps the most powerful and poignant of the entire poem. It suggests that even in the darkest and most difficult of times, poetry can provide us with a sense of comfort and reassurance. By turning to poetry for solace, we are able to forge a connection with something greater than ourselves, something that has the power to transcend the limitations of our individual experience.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home" is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a work that speaks to the deepest and most enduring aspects of the human experience. Through its exploration of themes such as connection, community, and the search for meaning, the poem offers us a profound and compelling vision of what it means to be human. Whether we are poets or simply lovers of poetry, "Poetry, Where Thou art-that-is Home" reminds us of the power of language to transform and enrich our lives, and of the enduring importance of the creative impulse that lies at the heart of all great art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Where Thou art-that-is Home: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many masterpieces, one poem that stands out is "Poetry Where Thou art-that-is Home." This poem is a beautiful and profound exploration of the nature of poetry and its place in our lives. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this masterpiece and explore its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry directly, asking where it resides. The first line, "Poetry, where thou art-that-is home," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is searching for the essence of poetry, trying to locate its true home. This opening line is also significant because it establishes the poem's central question: what is the nature of poetry, and where does it belong?

The second line, "With aliens thou hast nothing to do," reinforces this idea. The speaker suggests that poetry is not something that can be easily understood by outsiders. It is a deeply personal and intimate experience that requires a certain level of familiarity and understanding. The use of the word "aliens" also implies that poetry is something that is foreign or otherworldly, something that exists outside of our everyday experience.

The third line, "And thou dost not share the life of common day," further emphasizes this idea. Poetry is not something that can be easily integrated into our daily lives. It is something that exists on a different plane, something that requires us to step outside of our ordinary routines and ways of thinking. The use of the word "share" is also significant because it suggests that poetry is something that can be shared, but only among those who understand its true nature.

The fourth line, "The rocks and seas that are around thee, sing," introduces the first image in the poem. The speaker suggests that poetry is something that is deeply connected to the natural world. The rocks and seas are not just passive objects in the background; they are actively singing, expressing themselves in a way that is similar to poetry. This image also reinforces the idea that poetry is something that exists outside of human experience, something that is part of the natural world.

The fifth line, "And they that will to hear thee, let them come," is significant because it suggests that poetry is not something that can be forced upon others. It is something that must be sought out and willingly embraced. The use of the word "will" is also significant because it implies that poetry is something that requires effort and determination to understand and appreciate.

The sixth line, "And they that scorn thee, let them go and die," is perhaps the most striking line in the poem. The speaker suggests that those who do not appreciate poetry are not worthy of life. This line is significant because it suggests that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or diversion; it is something that is essential to our very existence. Those who do not appreciate poetry are missing out on something vital and life-affirming.

The seventh line, "There's nothing here that pains or pleases," is a bit more difficult to interpret. On the surface, it suggests that poetry exists outside of the realm of pleasure and pain, that it is something that is beyond our ordinary experiences. However, it could also be interpreted as suggesting that poetry is something that transcends our ordinary emotions, that it is something that can bring us to a state of emotional equilibrium.

The eighth and final line, "But only, where thou art not, is death," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. The speaker suggests that without poetry, life is not worth living. This line is significant because it suggests that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or diversion; it is something that is essential to our very existence. Without poetry, life is nothing but death.

In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its use of metaphor and imagery. The rocks and seas that sing are a powerful image that reinforces the idea that poetry is something that is deeply connected to the natural world. The use of the word "aliens" is also significant because it suggests that poetry is something that is foreign or otherworldly, something that exists outside of our everyday experience. The use of the word "share" is also significant because it suggests that poetry is something that can be shared, but only among those who understand its true nature.

In terms of themes, the poem is primarily concerned with the nature of poetry and its place in our lives. The speaker is searching for the essence of poetry, trying to locate its true home. The poem suggests that poetry is something that is deeply connected to the natural world, something that exists outside of human experience. It also suggests that poetry is something that is essential to our very existence, something that is not just a form of entertainment or diversion.

In conclusion, "Poetry Where Thou art-that-is Home" is a beautiful and profound exploration of the nature of poetry and its place in our lives. The poem is characterized by its use of metaphor and imagery, and it is primarily concerned with the nature of poetry and its place in our lives. The poem suggests that poetry is something that is deeply connected to the natural world, something that exists outside of human experience. It also suggests that poetry is something that is essential to our very existence, something that is not just a form of entertainment or diversion. Ultimately, this poem is a testament to the power and beauty of poetry, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers even today.

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