'We Cover Thee-Sweet Face' by Emily Dickinson

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We Cover Thee-Sweet Face-
Not that We tire of Thee-
But that Thyself fatigue of Us-
Remember-as Thou go-
We follow Thee until
Thou notice Us-no more-
And then-reluctant-turn away
To Con Thee o'er and o'er-And blame the scanty love
We were Content to show-
Augmented-Sweet-a Hundred fold-
If Thou would'st take it-now-

Editor 1 Interpretation

We Cover Thee-Sweet Face: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poetic genius is often characterized by her use of vivid imagery and metaphors that challenge traditional concepts of love, death, and existence. "We Cover Thee-Sweet Face" is a prime example of her unique and powerful style, as it captures the complex emotions of grief and mourning in a way that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving.

The Poem

We Cover Thee-Sweet Face With flowers of the valley, - The lily and the rose, That their fragrance may ally With the breath that goes.

We deck thee for the solemn Silence thou dost keep, With a wreath of gentlest blossom, And the fairest we may keep.

Thou wert so precious to us, And so dear to all who knew, That our hearts, in tenderest pity, Would e'en veil from view The clay that once enshrined thee, Till the God who gave thee birth, Shall call thee forth to glory, And a brighter, happier earth.

The poem is a tribute to a loved one who has passed away, and the speaker is addressing the departed in a tone of reverence and respect. The title, "We Cover Thee-Sweet Face," immediately sets the tone of mourning and remembrance, suggesting that the speaker is covering the face of the deceased with flowers as a final act of devotion and farewell.

Analysis

The first stanza of the poem establishes the imagery of flowers and fragrance, which are used throughout to represent the beauty and transience of life. The flowers of the valley, lily, and rose are carefully chosen for their symbolic meanings: the lily represents purity, innocence, and rebirth, while the rose represents love, passion, and sacrifice. By placing these flowers on the sweet face of the deceased, the speaker is honoring the memory of the departed and acknowledging the fragility of human existence.

In the second stanza, the speaker goes on to describe how the deceased is "decked" for his or her solemn silence. This description suggests that the dead are being prepared for a final resting place, and that the mourners are creating a peaceful and dignified environment for the departed. The use of the word "wreath" reinforces this idea, as wreaths are often used in funerary customs to signify the circle of life and death.

The third stanza is perhaps the most emotionally charged, as it reveals the depth of the speaker's love and grief for the departed. The speaker describes the deceased as "so precious" and "so dear" to all who knew him or her, and expresses a desire to "veil from view" the physical form that once housed the departed's spirit. This desire to protect the dead from the harsh realities of the physical world is a common theme in funerary customs, and Dickinson's use of it here adds a poignant note of compassion and empathy to the poem.

The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope and optimism amidst the sorrow and mourning. The speaker suggests that the deceased is being called forth by a higher power to a "brighter, happier earth," where he or she will be reunited with loved ones and find eternal peace. This belief in the afterlife is a common thread in many cultures and religions, and Dickinson's use of it here adds a sense of comfort and reassurance to the poem.

Interpretation

"We Cover Thee-Sweet Face" is a powerful and moving tribute to the deceased, characterized by Dickinson's unique and evocative style. The use of vivid imagery, particularly the flowers and fragrance, create a sense of beauty and transience that underscores the fragility of human existence. The poem also speaks to the universal themes of grief, mourning, and the afterlife, offering a sense of compassion, empathy, and hope to those who have lost loved ones.

At the heart of the poem is the idea of honoring the memory of the departed, and creating a peaceful and dignified environment for them to rest in. This idea is reflected in the careful choice of flowers and wreaths, which are used to symbolize the circle of life and death. The speaker's desire to "veil from view" the physical form of the deceased suggests a deep sense of compassion and empathy, and underscores the idea that death is a natural and inevitable part of the human experience.

In the final stanza, the speaker offers a glimmer of hope and optimism amidst the sorrow and mourning. The belief in the afterlife is a common thread in many cultures and religions, and Dickinson's use of it here adds a sense of comfort and reassurance to the poem. The idea that the departed is being called forth to a "brighter, happier earth" suggests that death is not an end, but a new beginning, and that the departed will find eternal peace and happiness in the next life.

Conclusion

"We Cover Thee-Sweet Face" is a powerful and moving tribute to the deceased, characterized by Dickinson's unique and evocative style. The use of vivid imagery, particularly the flowers and fragrance, creates a sense of beauty and transience that underscores the fragility of human existence. The poem speaks to the universal themes of grief, mourning, and the afterlife, offering a sense of compassion, empathy, and hope to those who have lost loved ones. Ultimately, the poem suggests that death is not an end, but a new beginning, and that the departed will find eternal peace and happiness in the next life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry We Cover Thee-Sweet Face: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry We Cover Thee-Sweet Face," a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the power and beauty of poetry. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry we cover thee-sweet face," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "cover" suggests that poetry is something that is hidden or obscured, and that it needs to be uncovered or revealed. This idea is reinforced in the next line, which reads "with the softest-prints of feet," suggesting that poetry is something delicate and fragile that needs to be approached with care.

As the poem continues, Dickinson explores the idea that poetry is a powerful force that can transform the world around us. She writes, "Thou art too precious to be set in aught," suggesting that poetry is something that is too valuable to be confined or limited in any way. Instead, it should be allowed to roam freely and have a profound impact on the world.

The poem also explores the idea that poetry is a form of communication that can bridge the gap between people and bring them closer together. Dickinson writes, "Thy message, as from forests, is of peace," suggesting that poetry has the power to bring a sense of calm and tranquility to our lives. She also writes, "And yet we make thee playmate of the hour," suggesting that poetry is often seen as something trivial or unimportant, when in fact it has the power to change our lives in profound ways.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent is personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities. In this case, Dickinson personifies poetry, giving it a "sweet face" and suggesting that it has a personality and a will of its own.

Another literary device that Dickinson uses is metaphor, which is the comparison of two unlike things. For example, when she writes "Thy message, as from forests, is of peace," she is using the forest as a metaphor for poetry, suggesting that it has a natural and calming quality that can bring peace to our lives.

The poem also features a number of other literary devices, including alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds, and imagery, which is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create a mental picture in the reader's mind. For example, when Dickinson writes "with the softest-prints of feet," she is using imagery to create a sense of delicacy and fragility.

In conclusion, "Poetry We Cover Thee-Sweet Face" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the power and beauty of poetry. Through the use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, alliteration, and imagery, Dickinson conveys a powerful message about the importance of poetry in our lives. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, this classic poem is sure to inspire and captivate you.

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