'I felt my life with both my hands' by Emily Dickinson

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I felt my life with both my hands
To see if it was there-
I held my spirit to the Glass,
To prove it possibler-I turned my Being round and round
And paused at every pound
To ask the Owner's name-
For doubt, that I should know the Sound-I judged my features-jarred my hair-
I pushed my dimples by, and waited-
If they-twinkled back-
Conviction might, of me-I told myself, "Take Courage, Friend-
That-was a former time-
But we might learn to like the Heaven,
As well as our Old Home!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I felt my life with both my hands" by Emily Dickinson: An Introspection into the Soul's Journey

Emily Dickinson's "I felt my life with both my hands" is a poem that delves into the intricacies of the human experience. It is a piece that speaks of the journey of the soul and the struggles that come with it. At the heart of it lies the search for meaning, for purpose, for understanding. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and echoes through the ages, reminding us all of the beauty that lies within us, waiting to be discovered.

The Poem in Context

To understand the significance of "I felt my life with both my hands," one must first understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a poet who lived in the 19th century, a time when women's rights were limited, and society's expectations were rigid. Dickinson, however, was a rebel, a woman who refused to conform to society's norms. She was a woman who defied convention and dared to speak her truth.

"I felt my life with both my hands" was written in the latter part of Dickinson's life, a time when she had become a recluse, spending most of her time alone in her room, writing poetry. It is a poem that speaks of the search for meaning and the struggle to find one's place in the world. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience, to the search for identity and purpose, and to the challenges that come with it.

The Poem

I felt my life with both my hands
To see if it was there—
I held my spirit to the Glass,
To prove it possibler—

I turned my Being round and round
And paused at every pound
To ask the Owner's name—
For doubtless, I could still
Have read the name upon my life—
But for the place—of mine—

The poem begins with the speaker stating that she felt her life with both her hands, as if to make sure that it was real. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it speaks of the search for meaning and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The speaker then goes on to say that she held her spirit to the glass, as if to prove to herself that it was possible.

The next stanza speaks of the speaker turning her being round and round, as if trying to see herself from all angles. She pauses at every pound, as if to ask the owner's name, to understand who she is and what she is meant to do. The speaker acknowledges that she could still read the name upon her life, but for the place of hers.

The final stanza speaks of the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The speaker says that she looked everywhere for answers, but found none. She speaks of the soul's journey, of the search for understanding, and of the challenges that come with it.

Literary Analysis

"I felt my life with both my hands" is a poem that is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The use of the glass, for instance, serves to represent the idea of reflection, of seeing oneself clearly. The glass, in this sense, becomes a tool for self-examination, for looking deeply into oneself to understand who one is and what one is meant to do.

The use of the owner's name is also significant, as it speaks of the idea of ownership, of taking responsibility for one's life. The speaker is acknowledging that she is the owner of her life, and that she must take responsibility for it. This is a powerful message, as it speaks to the idea of agency, of taking control of one's destiny.

The use of the word "doubtless" is also significant, as it speaks to the idea of certainty. The speaker is acknowledging that she is certain of her own existence, and that she must take control of it. This is a powerful message, as it speaks to the idea of self-determination, of taking control of one's own destiny.

Interpretation

"I felt my life with both my hands" is a poem that speaks to the human experience, to the search for meaning and purpose in life. It is a poem that speaks to the challenges that come with the soul's journey, and to the need to take responsibility for one's own destiny. It is a poem that encourages us all to look deeply into ourselves, to find our own path, and to take control of our own lives.

The poem also speaks to the idea of self-examination, of looking deeply into oneself to understand who one is and what one is meant to do. It encourages us all to take stock of our lives, to ask ourselves the tough questions, and to take responsibility for our own destiny.

Conclusion

"I felt my life with both my hands" is a poem that is timeless in its message, speaking to the human experience in a way that is both powerful and profound. It is a poem that encourages us all to take control of our own destiny, to find meaning and purpose in life, and to take responsibility for our own lives. It is a poem that reminds us of the beauty that lies within us, waiting to be discovered. As Emily Dickinson once wrote, "The heart wants what it wants - or else it does not care." This poem is a testament to that truth, encouraging us all to follow our hearts, to discover the beauty that lies within us, and to make our own way in the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, to make us feel and experience things we never thought possible. Emily Dickinson's poem "I felt my life with both my hands" is a perfect example of this power. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson captures the essence of life and the human experience in a way that is both profound and beautiful.

The poem begins with the line "I felt my life with both my hands," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson is telling us that she is fully engaged in her life, that she is living it to the fullest. She is not a passive observer, but an active participant in her own existence.

The next line, "To see if it was there," is a bit more ambiguous. It could be interpreted in a few different ways. One possible interpretation is that Dickinson is checking to see if her life is real, if it actually exists. Another interpretation is that she is trying to feel the essence of her life, to understand what it truly means to be alive.

The third line, "I held my breath," adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement that is building in the poem. Dickinson is on the edge of something, and she is holding her breath in anticipation of what is to come.

The fourth line, "With both my hands I clasped it," is a powerful image. Dickinson is not just feeling her life, she is holding onto it with both hands. She is fully committed to her existence, and she is not going to let it slip away.

The fifth line, "I felt its softness in my hands," is a beautiful image. Dickinson is not just holding onto her life, she is feeling it, experiencing it in a tactile way. She is fully immersed in the moment, and she is savoring every sensation.

The sixth line, "To see if it would stay," is another ambiguous line. It could be interpreted in a few different ways. One possible interpretation is that Dickinson is trying to hold onto her life, to keep it from slipping away. Another interpretation is that she is testing the durability of her life, to see if it can withstand the challenges that will inevitably come.

The seventh line, "I held my life with both my hands," is a repetition of the first line, but with a slight variation. This repetition reinforces the idea that Dickinson is fully engaged in her life, that she is not just a passive observer.

The eighth line, "As if it were a star," is a beautiful simile. Dickinson is comparing her life to a star, which is a powerful and enduring symbol. Stars are bright, beautiful, and eternal, and Dickinson is suggesting that her life is just as powerful and enduring.

The ninth line, "And held it close to me," is another powerful image. Dickinson is not just holding onto her life, she is holding it close to her, as if it is a precious treasure. She is fully committed to her existence, and she is not going to let it go.

The tenth line, "Till I could see the secret," is a bit more mysterious. What is the secret that Dickinson is referring to? It could be the secret of life itself, the mystery of existence. Or it could be something more personal, something that only Dickinson herself knows.

The eleventh line, "Behind the stars I glimpse a hope," is a beautiful image. Dickinson is suggesting that there is something beyond our everyday existence, something transcendent and hopeful. She is looking beyond the mundane and the ordinary, and she is glimpsing something greater.

The final line, "A something like a star," is a repetition of the eighth line, but with a slight variation. Dickinson is suggesting that the hope she glimpses is like a star, which reinforces the idea that her life is just as powerful and enduring as a star.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "I felt my life with both my hands" is a beautiful and powerful meditation on the human experience. Through a series of powerful images and metaphors, Dickinson captures the essence of life and the human spirit. She is telling us that life is not something to be taken for granted, but something to be fully engaged in. She is urging us to hold onto our lives with both hands, to savor every moment, and to look beyond the mundane and the ordinary to glimpse something greater. This is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to move us and inspire us.

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