'Except the Heaven had come so near' by Emily Dickinson

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Except the Heaven had come so near-
So seemed to choose My Door-
The Distance would not haunt me so-
I had not hoped-before-But just to hear the Grace depart-
I never thought to see-
Afflicts me with a Double loss-
'Tis lost-and lost to me-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of American literature, has left behind a legacy that has inspired generations of readers and writers alike. Her poems have been subject to countless interpretations over the years, but one piece that stands out among the rest is "Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near." This poem is a profound reflection on the nature of poetry itself, and the way in which it can transport us to other realms of experience.

The Poem

Before diving into a detailed analysis of the poem, it is crucial to understand the text itself. "Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near" is a four-stanza poem with a total of sixteen lines. The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB) and its meter consists mainly of trochees and iambs. The poem opens with the assertion that poetry has the power to transport the reader beyond the mundane world:

"Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near— It had as well have been the sphere Of an Angel's habitation— Where—beauty, chastity, and truth, In her mild and clear-eyed youth, Sat enthroned, vailed in white, Like the Seraphs in the night."

From the very beginning, Dickinson establishes the idea that poetry can take us to a place where we are surrounded by beauty, chastity, and truth. This is a world so far removed from our own that it might as well be the habitation of an angel. The use of the phrase "vailed in white" is particularly significant here, as it suggests a sense of purity and transcendence that is often associated with angels.

In the second stanza, Dickinson goes on to describe the power of poetry to elevate us beyond the limitations of the physical world:

"In such a Paradise as this, If Adam fell, he too might miss The forfeit of his bliss; But here on earth, we have no place, Save single state of grace, Which its own anguish bears, And chains itself to cares."

This stanza contrasts the paradisiacal world of poetry with the harsh realities of life on earth. While in the former, even Adam might miss the forfeit of his bliss, on earth we are limited by our own fallibility and our constant worldly cares. The notion of the single state of grace is particularly interesting here, as it suggests that there is only one way to achieve a state of transcendence in this world, and that it comes at a great cost.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic, as Dickinson shifts her focus to the way in which poetry can be perceived:

"While this great Lord cannot Approach his helpless creature's spot Without celestial mail, The poet, in a private room, Should praise, and bless, and prophesy— His ever-haunting theme, Contented as the neighbor's bird, That in the orchard dwells, The swiftest of the village heard When noon his vale infills."

Here, Dickinson compares the way in which God can only approach us in "celestial mail" to the way in which a poet can approach their craft in a "private room." The implication seems to be that poetry is a private and intensely personal activity that can only be approached by those who possess a certain level of sensitivity and insight. The comparison to the neighbor's bird is also significant, as it suggests that the poet is content to dwell in their own world, without seeking to impose their vision on others.

Finally, in the fourth stanza of the poem, Dickinson returns to the idea of the transcendent power of poetry:

"Poetry, domesticated, bloats— Its amplest and most leisureless Expanses, into landscapes— Its faith—the widest Crescent of a peopled world— Its rapture—staid and slow, Amitst the timid hayfields— As celebrations go."

Here, Dickinson suggests that when poetry is "domesticated," it loses its power to transport us to other realms of experience. The idea of poetry "bloating" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that when poetry is constrained within certain limits, it loses the sense of expansiveness that makes it so powerful. The reference to "timid hayfields" is also significant, as it suggests that even the most mundane aspects of our world can contain a sense of transcendent beauty.

Interpretation and Analysis

"Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near" is a poem that explores the nature of poetry itself, and the way in which it can transport us to other realms of experience. Dickinson creates a world that is so beautiful and so transcendent that it might as well be the habitation of an angel. The poem is full of rich imagery and complex metaphors that suggest a deep understanding of the power of language.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of transcendence. Dickinson suggests that poetry has the power to lift us beyond the mundane world and transport us to a place of beauty, chastity, and truth. This theme is echoed throughout the poem, as we see how poetry can take us to a place where even Adam might miss the forfeit of his bliss, and where the poet can prophesy in a private room.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of poetry as a private and intensely personal activity. Dickinson suggests that poetry is something that can only be approached by those who possess a certain level of sensitivity and insight. This idea is reflected in the comparison to the neighbor's bird, which suggests that the poet is content to dwell in their own world, without seeking to impose their vision on others.

Finally, "Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near" is a poem that explores the limits of language. Dickinson suggests that when poetry is "domesticated," it loses its power to transport us to other realms of experience. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where so much of our communication is constrained by the limits of social media and other forms of mediated communication.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Except the Heaven had come so near" is a complex and deeply moving poem that explores the power of language to transport us to other realms of experience. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of imagery and metaphor creates a world that is at once beautiful and transcendent. The poem is a profound reflection on the nature of poetry itself, and the way in which it can elevate us beyond the limitations of the physical world. Ultimately, this is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of language, and reminds us of the importance of poetry in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Except the Heaven had come so near: An Analysis

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Except the Heaven had come so near," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the divine. 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 except the heaven had come so near," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "except" suggests that poetry is somehow lacking or incomplete without the presence of heaven, which is a powerful and evocative image. The idea of heaven coming near is also significant, as it suggests that poetry has the power to bring us closer to the divine and to transcend our earthly existence.

The next line, "It were as if the hand of God were laid," reinforces this idea of the divine presence in poetry. The use of the word "hand" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of touch and physicality. This implies that poetry has the power to touch us in a profound and meaningful way, and that it can connect us with something greater than ourselves.

The third line, "Upon my lips," is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is personally experiencing the power of poetry. The use of the first-person pronoun "my" makes the poem more intimate and personal, and it invites the reader to share in the speaker's experience.

The next two lines, "And laid its finger on my brow," further emphasize the physicality of the divine presence in poetry. The use of the word "finger" suggests a sense of precision and delicacy, and it implies that the divine is intimately involved in the creation and reception of poetry.

The final line of the first stanza, "And stamped its reverence upon my heart," is perhaps the most powerful and evocative of all. The use of the word "reverence" suggests a sense of awe and respect, and it implies that the speaker is deeply moved by the divine presence in poetry. The use of the word "heart" is also significant, as it suggests that this experience is not just intellectual or emotional, but deeply spiritual and transformative.

The second stanza of the poem continues to explore the relationship between poetry and the divine. The opening line, "But never to so deep a bliss," suggests that the speaker has experienced many other forms of joy and happiness, but that this experience is somehow different and more profound. The use of the word "bliss" is particularly significant, as it suggests a sense of transcendence and ecstasy.

The next two lines, "Might I aspire," suggest that the speaker is not content with simply experiencing this divine presence in poetry, but that they want to somehow become a part of it. The use of the word "aspire" suggests a sense of ambition and striving, and it implies that the speaker is willing to work hard to achieve this goal.

The final two lines of the poem, "Still, I cannot say," suggest that the speaker is struggling to find the words to describe this experience. The use of the word "cannot" implies that this is not a matter of choice or willpower, but rather a limitation of language itself. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the limitations of language and the difficulty of expressing complex emotions and experiences.

In conclusion, "Poetry Except the Heaven had come so near" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between poetry and the divine. Through its use of powerful imagery and evocative language, it invites the reader to share in the speaker's experience of transcendence and ecstasy. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers even today.

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