'Like eyes that looked on Wastes' by Emily Dickinson


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Like eyes that looked on Wastes-
Incredulous of Ought
But Blank-and steady Wilderness-
Diversified by Night-Just Infinites of Nought-
As far as it could see-
So looked the face I looked upon-
So looked itself-on Me-I offered it no Help-
Because the Cause was Mine-
The Misery a Compact
As hopeless-as divine-Neither-would be absolved-
Neither would be a Queen
Without the Other-Therefore-
We perish-tho' We reign-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" by Emily Dickinson

As a poet, Emily Dickinson's work is often characterized by its unique style, unconventional punctuation, and a tendency towards themes of death, nature, and spirituality. "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is no exception. This poem, like much of Dickinson's work, is a meditation on the power of poetry and its ability to reveal hidden truths about the world we live in.

The Poem

The poem begins with the declaration that poetry is like "eyes that looked on Wastes," a metaphor that suggests that poetry has the power to see things that others cannot. The speaker goes on to describe the many different things that poetry can see, from "the secret Trees that nod" to "the distant Sea."

The second stanza of the poem expands on this idea, suggesting that poetry can also hear things that others cannot. The speaker describes the "secret things" that poetry can hear, from "the tiniest Bird that sings" to "the Storm that shakes the World."

The poem's third stanza explores the idea that poetry has the power to transport us to places we've never been before. The speaker describes how poetry can take us to "the Land of Beyond," a place where we can escape the troubles of the world and find peace.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths. The speaker declares that poetry can "unveil new Deities," suggesting that poetry has the power to reveal new ways of understanding the world and our place in it.

Interpretation

At its core, "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is a meditation on the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths about the world we live in. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to see, hear, and transport us to places that we might not otherwise be able to experience.

One of the most striking things about the poem is the way that it uses metaphor and imagery to convey its message. The metaphor of "eyes that looked on Wastes" is particularly powerful, suggesting that poetry has the ability to see things that others might overlook. This idea is further reinforced by the description of the "secret Trees" and the "distant Sea," which suggests that there are hidden aspects of the world that only poetry can reveal.

The poem's use of sound is also particularly effective. The idea that poetry can hear "the tiniest Bird that sings" or "the Storm that shakes the World" suggests that poetry has the ability to tune in to the natural world in a way that others cannot. This idea is further reinforced by the poem's emphasis on the idea that poetry can transport us to places we've never been before, suggesting that poetry has the ability to connect us to the world in ways that we might not otherwise be able to experience.

Overall, "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is a powerful meditation on the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths about the world we live in. Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery, as well as her emphasis on sound and the natural world, all work together to create a sense of the power and beauty of poetry.

Literary Criticism

When examining "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" from a literary criticism perspective, one of the most interesting things to consider is the way that the poem fits into Dickinson's larger body of work. As previously mentioned, Dickinson's poetry is often characterized by its unconventional style, unique punctuation, and emphasis on themes of death, nature, and spirituality. "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" fits squarely within this larger body of work, with its emphasis on the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths about the world.

One of the most interesting things about the poem is the way that it uses metaphor to convey its message. Dickinson was known for her use of metaphor and imagery, and "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is no exception. The metaphor of "eyes that looked on Wastes" is particularly effective, not only because it suggests that poetry has the ability to see things that others might overlook, but also because it creates a sense of adventure and exploration that runs throughout the poem.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that it uses sound to convey its message. Dickinson was known for her use of sound in her poetry, and "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is a prime example of this. The poem's emphasis on the sounds of the natural world, from "the tiniest Bird that sings" to "the Storm that shakes the World," creates a sense of connection between the world of poetry and the world of nature.

The poem's emphasis on the power of poetry to transport us to new places is also worth considering from a literary criticism perspective. Dickinson was known for her interest in exploring the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds, and "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is a great example of this. The idea that poetry can transport us to "the Land of Beyond" suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us to a world beyond the physical, a world of spiritual exploration and discovery.

Finally, it's worth considering the poem's emphasis on the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths about the world. Dickinson was known for her interest in exploring the mysteries of the world, and "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is no exception. The idea that poetry can "unveil new Deities" suggests that poetry has the ability to help us understand the world in new and profound ways, to see things that we might not otherwise be able to see.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is a powerful meditation on the power of poetry to reveal hidden truths about the world we live in. Through its use of metaphor, sound, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of the beauty and power of poetry, and its ability to connect us to the world in new and profound ways. As a part of Dickinson's larger body of work, the poem is an excellent example of her unique style, unconventional punctuation, and emphasis on themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Overall, "Poetry, Like Eyes that Looked on Wastes" is an excellent example of Dickinson's mastery of the art of poetry, and a testament to the power and beauty of poetry itself.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Like Eyes That Looked on Wastes: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "Poetry Like eyes that looked on Wastes" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic genius. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry is like eyes that looked on Wastes," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "wastes" suggests a barren and desolate landscape, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the power to see beyond the surface level of things and to penetrate the depths of the human experience.

The second line of the poem reads, "Incredulous of Oases." The word "incredulous" means skeptical or disbelieving, and "oases" refers to a fertile spot in a desert. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is skeptical of the idea of finding a safe haven or a place of refuge in the midst of the harsh realities of life. Instead, poetry acknowledges the barrenness of the human condition and seeks to find meaning and beauty in it.

The third line of the poem reads, "Poetry is like hearing, then, the first bird." This line is a continuation of the metaphor of poetry as eyes that see beyond the surface level of things. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the ability to hear the first bird in the morning, which represents the beauty and wonder of the natural world. This line also suggests that poetry has the power to awaken us to the beauty and wonder of life.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Thoughts that sing and stir the breeze." This line suggests that poetry has the power to stir our thoughts and emotions, much like a breeze stirs the leaves of a tree. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the power to move us and to inspire us to think and feel deeply.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Doubtful if it be heard again." This line suggests that poetry is aware of its own fleeting nature. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is like a bird's song that may only be heard once, and that we must cherish and appreciate it while we can.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "But in the ear of every dying man." This line is a powerful statement about the significance of poetry. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the power to comfort and console us in our final moments. She is suggesting that poetry has the power to give meaning and purpose to our lives, even in the face of death.

Overall, "Poetry Like eyes that looked on Wastes" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson suggests that poetry has the power to see beyond the surface level of things and to penetrate the depths of the human experience. She suggests that poetry has the power to awaken us to the beauty and wonder of life, to stir our thoughts and emotions, and to comfort and console us in our final moments. This poem is a testament to the power and significance of poetry, and it is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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