'Delayed till she had ceased to know' by Emily Dickinson
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Delayed till she had ceased to know—
Delayed till in its vest of snow
Her loving bosom lay—
An hour behind the fleeting breath—
Later by just an hour than Death—
Oh lagging Yesterday!
Could she have guessed that it would be—
Could but a crier of the joy
Have climbed the distant hill—
Had not the bliss so slow a pace
Who knows but this surrendered face
Were undefeated still?
Oh if there may departing be
Any forgot by Victory
In her imperial round—
Show them this meek appareled thing
That could not stop to be a king—
Doubtful if it be crowned!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Delayed till she had ceased to know
Emily Dickinson's poem "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. Written in Dickinson's signature style of short, concise stanzas and unconventional punctuation, the poem explores the idea that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather an inevitable part of the natural cycle of life.
At its core, "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson begins the poem by describing the "little girl" who "stopped to pick a daisy" and never made it home. The image of a young child, innocent and full of life, suddenly struck down by death is a powerful one, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson goes on to describe the passing of time, noting that "Years ago her little head / Tilted in the sun" and "A bird abroad a fruit tree / Probed at the smile on her mouth". These lines are poignant reminders of the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
One of the most striking things about "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is the way Dickinson uses language to evoke a sense of loss and longing. The poem is filled with images of things that are gone or passing away, from the daisy that the little girl stopped to pick to the "moss that marred the pathway" and the "wind that drew the boughs aside". These images are all portrayed in vivid detail, and they contribute to the overall mood of melancholy and nostalgia that permeates the poem.
Despite its focus on death and loss, however, "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is ultimately a hopeful and life-affirming poem. Dickinson's description of the little girl's journey through life and into death is not one of despair, but rather of acceptance and transcendence. As the poem progresses, the little girl becomes less and less tangible, until finally she is described as "The feet, mechanical, go round / A wooden way." This image of the little girl reduced to a mere machine is a powerful one, but it is also a reminder that even in death there is a kind of beauty and grace.
In the final stanza of the poem, Dickinson concludes with a statement that is both simple and profound: "Delayd till she had ceased to know; / Delayed till in its vest of snow / Her loving bosom lay." This image of the little girl's body covered in snow is a striking one, and it speaks to the idea that death is not an end, but rather a continuation of the natural cycle of life. The snow that covers her body is a symbol of renewal and rebirth, and it suggests that even in death there is always the possibility of new life.
Overall, "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the deepest realities of human existence. Dickinson's use of language is masterful, and her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas with just a few words is truly remarkable. Whether read as a meditation on death and loss or as a celebration of the beauty of life, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a poignant and powerful exploration of the themes of death, love, and memory, and it is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who has died, and who has been buried in a grave. The woman is described as having been "delayed till she had ceased to know," which suggests that she had been kept alive artificially, perhaps through medical intervention, until she had lost all awareness of her surroundings and her own identity. This is a powerful image that speaks to the fear and uncertainty that many people feel about death and dying, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own feelings about the woman's death. The speaker describes feeling a sense of loss and sadness, but also a sense of relief that the woman's suffering has ended. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the complex emotions that arise in the face of death and loss. The speaker's conflicting emotions here suggest that death is not a simple or straightforward experience, but rather one that is fraught with ambiguity and complexity.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it explores the theme of memory and its relationship to death. The speaker describes how the woman's memory will live on, even though she herself is gone. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea that memory is a powerful force that can transcend death and allow us to connect with those who have passed away. The speaker's description of the woman's memory as a "sacred thing" suggests that memory is not just a passive record of the past, but rather an active force that can shape our present and future.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of death, love, and memory together in a powerful and moving way. The speaker describes how the woman's memory will continue to live on, even as the speaker herself grows old and dies. This is a powerful reminder that death is not the end, but rather a continuation of the cycle of life and death that is a fundamental part of the human experience. The speaker's final words, "And love will last as long as you," suggest that love is the ultimate force that transcends death and allows us to connect with those we have lost.
In conclusion, "Delayed till she had ceased to know" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, love, and memory in a way that is both profound and deeply human. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson captures the complexities of the human experience in a way that is both timeless and universal. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's genius as a poet, and it is a reminder of the power of poetry to help us make sense of the world around us.
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