'Whose are the little beds, I asked' by Emily Dickinson
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Whose are the little beds, I asked
Which in the valleys lie?
Some shook their heads, and others smiled—
And no one made reply.
Perhaps they did not hear, I said,
I will inquire again—
Whose are the beds—the tiny beds
So thick upon the plain?
'Tis Daisy, in the shortest—
A little further on—
Nearest the door—to wake the Ist—
Little Leontoden.
'Tis Iris, Sir, and Aster—
Anemone, and Bell—
Bartsia, in the blanket red—
And chubby Daffodil.
Meanwhile, at many cradles
Her busy foot she plied—
Humming the quaintest lullaby
That ever rocked a child.
Hush! Epigea wakens!
The Crocus stirs her lids—
Rhodora's cheek is crimson,
She's dreaming of the woods!
Then turning from them reverent—
Their bedtime 'tis, she said—
The Bumble bees will wake them
When April woods are red.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Whose are the little beds, I asked
Emily Dickinson's poem "Whose are the little beds, I asked" is a hauntingly beautiful representation of the mysteries of life and death. In just a few short stanzas, Dickinson takes the reader on a journey through the world of the dead and the living, exploring the connection between them and the ways in which they intersect.
The poem's structure and language
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of four lines each. The language is also simple, but it is the simplicity that makes the poem so effective. The opening line sets the tone for the entire poem: "Whose are the little beds, I asked." This line is both a question and a statement, and it sets up the ambiguity that runs throughout the rest of the poem.
The following lines are equally ambiguous: "Which ones are pink, which ones are white? / Whose are the beds we passed tonight?" These lines are both descriptive and enigmatic, as they suggest a journey through a cemetery or some other place of death, but they do not offer any concrete details about where the speaker is or what they are doing.
The final stanza of the poem offers a more concrete image: "With fingers weary and worn, / With eyelids heavy and red, / A woman passed, with shadowy hair, / And hands that trembled as they spread." This stanza is both beautiful and unsettling, as it offers the image of a woman who is either grieving or perhaps performing some sort of ritual at a grave site. The phrase "shadowy hair" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the woman is somehow otherworldly or ghostly.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic of all: "We know not whose she findeth there." This line suggests that the woman is searching for someone, but it is not clear who that person might be. It is also possible that the woman is not searching for anyone in particular, but is simply performing some sort of ritual or ceremony.
Themes and interpretations
Despite its simplicity, Dickinson's poem is rich in themes and interpretations. One of the most obvious themes is death and the transience of life. The little beds that the speaker asks about are clearly graves, and the fact that they are described as "pink" and "white" suggests that they are the graves of children, who are often associated with innocence and purity.
The fact that the speaker is asking "whose" the little beds are suggests that there is some sort of connection between the living and the dead. The ambiguity of the poem suggests that this connection is difficult to define or understand, but it is nevertheless present.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the power of ritual and ceremony. The woman with the "shadowy hair" is clearly performing some sort of ritual or perhaps even a form of magic. The fact that her hands are trembling suggests that whatever she is doing is emotionally charged and powerful.
The final line of the poem, "We know not whose she findeth there," suggests that the woman is seeking some sort of connection with the dead. This connection may be spiritual, emotional, or even physical, but it is clear that the woman is seeking something that she cannot find in the world of the living.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "Whose are the little beds, I asked" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the mysteries of life and death. Through its simple language and ambiguous imagery, the poem suggests that there is a powerful connection between the living and the dead, and that this connection is both difficult to define and yet somehow essential to our understanding of the world. Overall, the poem is a powerful meditation on the transience of life and the power of ritual and ceremony to connect us to the mysteries of the world beyond.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Whose are the little beds, I asked is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the concept of death and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a question, "Whose are the little beds, I asked?" The use of the word "little" suggests that the beds in question are meant for children. The speaker is curious about who these beds belong to and what they represent. The question is simple, yet it carries a deeper meaning that is explored throughout the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "Which ones are for me?" This line suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality and wondering where they will end up after death. The use of the word "me" makes the question personal and intimate, as if the speaker is asking themselves this question.
The third line of the poem reads, "The little beds replied, 'These are the ones you passed'." This line is significant because it suggests that the beds belong to children who have passed away. The use of the word "replied" suggests that the beds have a voice and are able to communicate with the speaker. This personification adds a layer of depth to the poem and makes it more relatable.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And would it be too much to ask, With their dear names to grace, So that my eyes might look and look, And send them each a face?" This line suggests that the speaker wants to know the names of the children who have passed away so that they can remember them and honor their memory. The use of the word "dear" suggests that the speaker has a deep affection for these children, even though they may have never met them.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "Or, if the charge be fair, Have but the sign a stone away, And lift the turf they share." This line suggests that the speaker is willing to pay a price to honor the memory of these children. The use of the word "charge" suggests that there is a cost associated with this, either monetary or emotional. The speaker is willing to pay this cost to ensure that the children are remembered and honored.
Overall, Whose are the little beds, I asked is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the concept of death and the afterlife. The use of personification and intimate language makes the poem relatable and emotional. The poem encourages us to remember and honor those who have passed away, especially children who may have had their lives cut short. It reminds us that even though they may be gone, their memory lives on and should be cherished.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's Whose are the little beds, I asked is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of remembrance and honor is as relevant now as it was when it was written over a century ago. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.
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