'When Night is almost done' by Emily Dickinson

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When Night is almost done-
And Sunrise grows so near
That we can touch the Spaces-
It's time to smooth the Hair-And get the Dimples ready-
And wonder we could care
For that old-faded Midnight-
That frightened-but an Hour-

Editor 1 Interpretation

When Night is Almost Done: A Closer Look at Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, wrote a vast number of poems that explored the themes of life, death, love, and nature. Her poems were often cryptic, with hidden meanings that required close reading and interpretation. One such poem is "When Night is Almost Done," a short but powerful piece that explores the idea of death and the afterlife.

The Poem

When night is almost done,
And sunrise grows so near
That we can touch the spaces,
It's time to smooth the hair
And get the dimples ready,
And wonder we could care
For that old faded midnight
That frightened but an hour.

This poem is a prime example of Dickinson's unique style. The poem is only eight lines long, but it packs a lot of meaning into those few lines. The poem starts with the phrase "When night is almost done," which implies that the speaker is referring to the end of life or the approach of death. The "sunrise" that is "so near" suggests a new beginning, perhaps in the afterlife.

The next three lines describe the preparations that are made before the "sunrise" arrives. The speaker talks about "smoothing the hair" and getting the "dimples ready," which could be interpreted as the preparations that are made before a funeral. This could also be seen as a reference to the preparation that is required before entering the afterlife.

The last two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker talks about "that old faded midnight / That frightened but an hour." This could be interpreted as a reference to the fear of death, which is only temporary. The use of the word "hour" suggests that the fear of death is fleeting and that it will soon be replaced by something new and better.

Interpretation

There are several ways to interpret this poem, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is about preparing for death and the afterlife. The speaker talks about the preparations that are made before the "sunrise" arrives, which could be interpreted as the preparations that are made before death. The "smoothing the hair" and "getting the dimples ready" could be seen as a metaphor for the final preparations that are made before entering the afterlife.

The last two lines of the poem could also be interpreted as a reminder that death is nothing to be feared. The fear of death is only temporary, and it will soon be replaced by something new and better. This interpretation is supported by the use of the word "hour," which suggests that the fear of death is fleeting.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is about the cyclical nature of life and death. The "sunrise" that is "so near" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The preparations that are made before the "sunrise" could be seen as a metaphor for the preparations that are made before birth. This interpretation is supported by the use of the word "spaces," which suggests that the speaker is referring to the space between life and death.

Conclusion

"When Night is Almost Done" is a short but powerful poem that explores the themes of death and the afterlife. The poem is open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is about preparing for death and the afterlife. The last two lines of the poem suggest that death is nothing to be feared and that the fear of death is only temporary. Whether you interpret the poem as a reminder to prepare for death or a reflection on the cyclical nature of life and death, it is clear that Emily Dickinson was a master of concise but powerful poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When Night is almost done, a classic poem by Emily Dickinson, is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of love, death, and the passage of time. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by its brevity, simplicity, and depth of meaning.

The poem begins with the line "When Night is almost done," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "almost" suggests that something is coming to an end, and that time is running out. This sense of urgency is further emphasized by the next line, which reads "And sunrise grows so near."

The image of the sunrise is a powerful one, as it represents the beginning of a new day and the hope that comes with it. However, in this poem, the sunrise is also a reminder of the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker seems to be aware that the night is almost over, and that the sunrise is a symbol of the end of life.

The next line of the poem reads "And we can touch the spaces," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. It could be that the speaker is referring to the spaces between the stars in the sky, which are more visible just before dawn. Alternatively, it could be that the speaker is referring to the spaces between people, and the idea that we can only truly connect with others when we are aware of our own mortality.

The next two lines of the poem read "It's time to take the last embrace, / Before the eternal morn." These lines are perhaps the most poignant in the entire poem, as they suggest that the speaker is saying goodbye to someone they love. The use of the word "last" implies that this embrace is final, and that the speaker knows that they will never see this person again.

The phrase "eternal morn" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife or some kind of eternal existence beyond death. This idea is further reinforced by the final line of the poem, which reads "And feel how swift how secretly, / The shadow of the night is fleeing."

The image of the shadow of the night fleeing is a powerful one, as it suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The use of the words "swift" and "secretly" also suggest that this transition is not something that can be easily understood or explained, but rather something that must be experienced.

Overall, When Night is almost done is a beautiful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of simple language and powerful imagery, it encourages us to reflect on the passage of time, the inevitability of death, and the importance of love and connection in our lives.

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