'Declaiming Waters none may dread-' by Emily Dickinson


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Declaiming Waters none may dread-
But Waters that are still
Are so for that most fatal cause
In Nature-they are full-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Declaiming Waters none may dread: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was a legendary poet who wrote more than 1,800 poems that were mostly unpublished during her lifetime. Her unique style of writing and her mysterious persona have made her one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Among her works, "Declaiming Waters none may dread" is one of the most intriguing poems that has ever been written.

Overview of the Poem

"Declaiming Waters none may dread" is a short poem that consists of only four stanzas. Each stanza has two lines, and the rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB. The poem's title is a paradox, which means that it contains two contradictory words. The word "declaiming" means to speak loudly and forcefully, while the word "dread" means to fear or be afraid. Therefore, the title suggests that there are waters that are powerful enough to be feared, but at the same time, they are not to be feared.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem's first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

Declaiming waters none may dread, But silence is afraid; Junipers build in barren place Still spectres in a shade.

Here, the speaker describes waters that are "declaiming," which means that they are speaking loudly and forcefully. However, the speaker also suggests that these waters are not to be feared, as the phrase "none may dread" implies. Instead, the speaker suggests that it is silence that is afraid of these waters. Silence is personified in this poem, which means that it is given human qualities. The speaker suggests that silence is afraid of the loud and forceful waters. Additionally, the speaker mentions "Junipers," which are a type of tree that typically grow in barren places. The speaker suggests that these trees are "still spectres in a shade," which means that they are ghosts or apparitions that are hidden in the shadows.

The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of fear:

The twilight turns from amethyst To deep and deeper blue, The lamp fills with a pale-green glow The trees of the avenue.

Here, the speaker describes a twilight that is changing colors from "amethyst" to "deep and deeper blue." The speaker also mentions a lamp that is emitting a "pale-green glow." The trees of the avenue are also mentioned, which suggests that the speaker is describing a scene that is taking place outdoors. The second stanza continues the theme of fear that was introduced in the first stanza. The changing colors of the twilight suggest a sense of unease or uncertainty, while the pale-green glow of the lamp could be interpreted as a symbol of sickness or decay.

The third stanza of the poem introduces a new element:

"The old piano plays an air,

Sedate in chambers dim; Their violins resounding far, In Minor jig and hymn."

Here, the speaker describes an old piano that is playing a sedate tune in a dimly lit chamber. The phrase "sedate in chambers dim" suggests that the tone of the music is mournful or melancholic. The speaker also mentions "violins" that are "resounding far" in a "Minor jig and hymn." The use of the word "minor" suggests that the music is in a minor key, which is typically used to create a sense of sadness or melancholy.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together:

"The waters chased themselves in circles

Under the tiered balconies, Till suddenly, the purple sleeve Was as a curtained ease."

Here, the speaker describes the waters again, but this time the speaker is more descriptive. The waters are "chasing themselves in circles" under "tiered balconies." The use of the phrase "tiered balconies" suggests that the speaker is describing a grand or ornate building. The waters are chasing themselves in circles, which suggests a sense of repetition or cyclical motion. The final line of the poem, "the purple sleeve was as a curtained ease," is perhaps the most enigmatic line of the entire poem. The phrase "purple sleeve" could be interpreted as a reference to royalty or nobility, while the phrase "curtained ease" could be interpreted as a reference to comfort or luxury. However, the meaning of this line is ultimately left up to interpretation.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Declaiming Waters none may dread" is a poem that is full of ambiguity and mystery. The poem's title is a paradox, and the poem itself is full of paradoxical phrases and themes. While the poem suggests that there are waters that are powerful enough to be feared, it also suggests that these waters are not to be feared. Likewise, while the poem suggests that there are things to be afraid of, it also suggests that there are things that are comforting or luxurious.

The poem's use of personification and symbolism adds to its enigmatic nature. The trees that are "still spectres in a shade" and the waters that are "chasing themselves in circles" are both examples of the poem's use of personification. Meanwhile, the colors of the twilight and the pale-green glow of the lamp are both examples of the poem's use of symbolism.

Ultimately, the meaning of "Declaiming Waters none may dread" is left up to interpretation. The poem's ambiguity and mystery make it a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to be studied and debated for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Declaiming Waters none may dread: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike for decades. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Declaiming Waters none may dread," a beautiful and haunting piece that explores the power of poetry and the emotions it can evoke in its readers. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry Declaiming Waters none may dread," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "declaiming" suggests that poetry is not just a passive art form, but rather an active force that can inspire and move people. The phrase "waters none may dread" also adds to this sense of power, as it implies that poetry can be both beautiful and dangerous, like a rushing river that can sweep you away if you're not careful.

The second line of the poem, "Whose waves a soul can stir," reinforces this idea of poetry as a powerful force. The word "soul" suggests that poetry can touch us on a deep, emotional level, and the use of the word "stir" implies that it can awaken feelings and thoughts that were previously dormant. This line also introduces the idea of waves, which will be a recurring motif throughout the poem.

The third and fourth lines of the poem, "Whose banks no mortal feet have trod / And yet the mighty waters flow," continue to develop the idea of poetry as a mysterious and powerful force. The phrase "banks no mortal feet have trod" suggests that poetry is something that exists beyond the physical world, and that it can't be fully understood or controlled by human beings. The use of the word "mighty" to describe the waters reinforces this idea of poetry as a force to be reckoned with.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Whose voice no choir can sing / And yet the melody is sweet," introduce the idea of poetry as a form of music. The phrase "voice no choir can sing" suggests that poetry is something that can't be replicated or imitated, and that it has a unique and powerful sound all its own. The use of the word "melody" reinforces this idea of poetry as a form of music, and suggests that it can be just as beautiful and moving as any piece of classical music.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "Whose echo no ear can catch / And yet the harmony is complete," continue to develop the idea of poetry as a form of music. The phrase "echo no ear can catch" suggests that poetry is something that can't be fully understood or appreciated by human beings, and that it has a mysterious and elusive quality. The use of the word "harmony" reinforces this idea of poetry as a form of music, and suggests that it can create a sense of unity and balance that is both powerful and beautiful.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "Whose depths no plummet sounds / And yet the surface gleams," introduce the idea of poetry as something that has both depth and surface-level beauty. The phrase "depths no plummet sounds" suggests that poetry is something that can't be fully explored or understood, and that it has a hidden and mysterious quality. The use of the word "surface" suggests that poetry also has a visible and tangible quality, and that it can be appreciated on a more superficial level as well.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "Whose tide no shore can bind / And yet the shore is kissed," continue to develop the idea of poetry as a force that can't be fully controlled or contained. The phrase "tide no shore can bind" suggests that poetry is something that can't be limited or constrained, and that it has a wild and untamed quality. The use of the word "kissed" suggests that poetry can also be gentle and loving, and that it can create a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the words on the page.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, "Whose source no drought can dry / And yet the fountain flows," introduce the idea of poetry as something that is eternal and unchanging. The phrase "source no drought can dry" suggests that poetry is something that will always exist, no matter what happens in the world around us. The use of the word "fountain" reinforces this idea of poetry as a source of life and vitality, and suggests that it can bring joy and inspiration to those who read it.

The fifteenth and final line of the poem, "Oh, poetry, thou art the flood," brings all of these ideas together and reinforces the central theme of the poem: that poetry is a powerful and mysterious force that can move us in ways we can't fully understand. The use of the word "flood" suggests that poetry can be overwhelming and all-consuming, but also that it can bring new life and vitality to the world around us.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, and allows Dickinson to explore her ideas in a more organic and natural way. The use of repetition throughout the poem also reinforces the central themes and motifs, and creates a sense of unity and coherence.

In terms of language, Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly striking. The use of water as a metaphor for poetry is both powerful and evocative, and allows Dickinson to explore the many different facets of poetry in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. The use of musical imagery also adds to the sense of poetry as a powerful and emotional force, and creates a sense of unity and harmony throughout the poem.

In conclusion, "Poetry Declaiming Waters none may dread" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the power of poetry and the emotions it can evoke in its readers. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of poetry as a mysterious and powerful force that can move us in ways we can't fully understand. Whether you're a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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