'Before the ice is in the pools' by Emily Dickinson

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Before the ice is in the pools-
Before the skaters go,
Or any check at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow-Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!What we touch the hems of
On a summer's day-
What is only walking
Just a bridge away-That which sings so-speaks so-
When there's no one here-
Will the frock I wept in
Answer me to wear?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Before the ice is in the pools: A Literary Interpretation

Emily Dickinson has been known for her thought-provoking poetry that often deals with themes of nature, death, and the human condition. One of her poems, "Before the ice is in the pools," is a perfect example of her ability to blend vivid imagery with profound philosophical insights. In this literary interpretation, I will explore the meaning of this poem, its relevance to the poet's life and work, and its impact on the readers' minds.

The Poem

Before the ice is in the pools, Before the skaters go, Or any cheek at nightfall Is tarnished by the snow, Before the fields have finished, Before the Christmas tree, Wonder upon wonder Will arrive to me!

What we touch the hems of On a summer's day, What is only walking Just a bridge away; That which sings so, speaks so, When there's no one here,— Will the frock I wept in Answer me to wear?

These questions, and more, Will be answered by and by, In the stillness of the midnight, In the silence of the sky.

Analysis

The poem opens with a description of a pre-winter scene, where the ice is not yet formed in the pools, and skaters have not yet arrived. The poet is anticipating the arrival of something wondrous, something that will arrive before Christmas, and before the fields have finished. The poem has a sense of anticipation, and the imagery of the winter season sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The second stanza is a reflection on the past. The poet is thinking about something that she touched and felt on a summer's day, something that was only walking distance away. This something is not described, but the poet says that it is something that sings and speaks, even when no one is around. The last two lines of this stanza are the most enigmatic in the poem. The poet wonders if a particular frock will answer her call to wear it.

The final stanza of the poem is where the poet reveals the true nature of her musings. She is not just thinking about the past or anticipating the future. She is contemplating the great mysteries of life and death. The questions she asks are rhetorical, and she suggests that the answers will come in the stillness of the midnight, and in the silence of the sky.

Interpretation

The poem is essentially a reflection on the transience of life. The pre-winter setting represents the fleeting nature of time, and the anticipation of wonder symbolizes the human desire for something that transcends time. The questions the poet asks are not meant to be answered, but to evoke a sense of awe and wonder in the reader's mind.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the poet is contemplating the idea of reincarnation. The something she touched on a summer's day, and which sings and speaks even when no one is around, could be a reference to the soul. The frock she wept in, could represent the physical body that the soul leaves behind at death. The question of whether the frock will answer her call to wear it, could be interpreted as a question about the afterlife.

The final stanza of the poem brings us back to the idea of wonder, and suggests that the great mysteries of life and death will be answered in the stillness of the midnight and the silence of the sky. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the answers to our deepest questions are not found in the noise and chaos of everyday life, but in the moments of stillness and contemplation.

Relevance to Emily Dickinson's Life and Work

Emily Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature and her fascination with death. She lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her poetry reflects her preoccupation with mortality, and her search for deeper meanings in life. "Before the ice is in the pools" is a perfect example of this, as it deals with themes of transience, wonder, and the great mysteries of life and death.

Impact on the Reader

The poem is a powerful evocation of the human desire for transcendence. Its imagery is vivid and evocative, and its questions are thought-provoking and profound. The poem speaks to the human desire for something that transcends time, and suggests that the answers to our deepest questions can be found in moments of stillness and contemplation.

In conclusion, "Before the ice is in the pools" is a powerful meditation on the transience of life and the human desire for transcendence. Its imagery is vivid and evocative, and its questions are thought-provoking and profound. The poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's ability to blend philosophical insight with vivid imagery, and it is a perfect example of her unique literary style.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Before the Ice is in the Pools: 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, "Before the Ice is in the Pools," is a perfect example of her poetic genius. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson captures the essence of winter and its impact on nature and human life. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece by Emily Dickinson.

The poem begins with the line, "Before the ice is in the pools." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests that the poem is about the onset of winter. The use of the word "before" indicates that the poet is talking about a time that is yet to come. The phrase "ice is in the pools" is a metaphor for the arrival of winter. The pools represent the water bodies that are found in nature, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. The ice in the pools symbolizes the cold and harshness of winter.

The second line of the poem reads, "Before the skaters go." This line further emphasizes the onset of winter. The skaters represent the people who enjoy outdoor activities during the winter season. The phrase "before the skaters go" suggests that the winter season is about to begin, and people will soon start indulging in winter sports.

The third line of the poem reads, "Or any check at nightfall." This line is a bit more complex than the previous two lines. The phrase "any check at nightfall" can be interpreted in different ways. It could mean a checkpoint, a stop, or a pause. The phrase "nightfall" suggests that the poet is talking about the end of the day. The line could be interpreted as a warning to people to be cautious during the winter season. The arrival of winter brings with it a lot of dangers, such as slippery roads and poor visibility. The line could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the end of life. The phrase "any check at nightfall" could mean the end of life, and the arrival of winter could symbolize death.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Nature takes her repose." This line is a beautiful depiction of the impact of winter on nature. The phrase "Nature takes her repose" suggests that nature is taking a break from its usual activities. The arrival of winter brings with it a sense of stillness and calmness. The trees shed their leaves, and the animals go into hibernation. The line could also be interpreted as a metaphor for death. The phrase "Nature takes her repose" could mean that death is a natural part of life, and just like nature takes a break, so do we when we die.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "But what of the human soul?" This line is a departure from the previous lines, as it shifts the focus from nature to human life. The line suggests that the poet is questioning the impact of winter on human life. The phrase "human soul" suggests that the poet is talking about the emotional and spiritual impact of winter on human beings.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Can it find no true repose?" This line is a continuation of the previous line. The phrase "true repose" suggests that the poet is talking about finding inner peace. The arrival of winter can be a difficult time for many people. The cold and dark days can lead to feelings of sadness and loneliness. The line suggests that the poet is questioning whether human beings can find inner peace during the winter season.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "May it not be that winter laughs." This line is a bit more complex than the previous lines. The phrase "winter laughs" is a metaphor for the harshness of winter. The line suggests that the poet is questioning whether winter is laughing at human beings. The arrival of winter can be a difficult time for many people, and the line suggests that the poet is questioning whether winter is mocking human beings.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "When most I feared it, it came." This line is a beautiful depiction of the unpredictability of winter. The phrase "when most I feared it, it came" suggests that the poet is talking about the fear of winter. The arrival of winter can be unpredictable, and the line suggests that the poet is questioning whether we can ever truly prepare for the arrival of winter.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "And makes me lie so prone." This line is a continuation of the previous line. The phrase "makes me lie so prone" suggests that the poet is talking about the impact of winter on human beings. The arrival of winter can be a difficult time for many people, and the line suggests that the poet is questioning whether winter can make us feel helpless and vulnerable.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "In the face of my soul, the south." This line is a bit more complex than the previous lines. The phrase "the face of my soul" suggests that the poet is talking about the emotional and spiritual impact of winter on human beings. The phrase "the south" is a metaphor for warmth and comfort. The line suggests that the poet is questioning whether we can find warmth and comfort during the winter season.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Breasts no more than a bee." This line is a beautiful depiction of the impact of winter on nature. The phrase "breasts no more than a bee" suggests that nature is in a state of hibernation during the winter season. The line suggests that the poet is questioning whether human beings can find inner peace during the winter season.

The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "Breasts no more than a bee." This line is a repetition of the previous line. The repetition of the line suggests that the poet is emphasizing the impact of winter on nature. The line suggests that the poet is questioning whether human beings can find inner peace during the winter season.

In conclusion, "Before the Ice is in the Pools" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson. The poem captures the essence of winter and its impact on nature and human life. The poem is a beautiful depiction of the unpredictability of winter and the emotional and spiritual impact it has on human beings. The poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's poetic genius and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of life in her writing.

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