'Our journey had advanced;' by Emily Dickinson


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Our journey had advanced;
Our feet were almost come
To that odd fork in Being's road,
Eternity by term.

Our pace took sudden awe,
Our feet reluctant led.
Before were cities, but between,
The forest of the dead.

Retreat was out of hope,--
Behind, a sealed route,
Eternity's white flag before,
And God at every gate.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Our Journey Had Advanced by Emily Dickinson: A Journey Through the Poet's Mind

As I read Emily Dickinson's "Our journey had advanced" for the first time, I could feel my heart racing and my mind trying to grasp the depth of the poem. It's a short yet powerful piece of poetry that takes us on a journey, both physical and emotional, through the poet's mind.

The poem opens with the line "Our journey had advanced," which immediately sets the tone for a voyage. It's clear that we are embarking on a journey that has already begun, and this sense of movement and progress continues throughout the poem. The phrase "our journey" also suggests that we are not alone on this journey, but that we are part of a group or a partnership.

The second line, "Our feet were almost come," gives us a sense of how far we have come. The use of the word "almost" implies that we are close to our destination, but there is still a little way to go. This creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as we eagerly await the arrival at our final destination.

As we move through the poem, we see that the physical journey is also a metaphor for an emotional journey. The third line, "To that odd shore," adds a sense of mystery to the poem. It's clear that this is not a typical journey, but one that is full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns.

The following line, "That just so near the soul," suggests that this journey is not just physical, but spiritual. It's a journey that takes us deep within ourselves, where we are forced to confront our fears and doubts. The use of the word "soul" adds a sense of spirituality to the poem, and suggests that this journey is one of self-discovery and enlightenment.

The fifth line, "So had we walked some way," reinforces the sense of progress and movement that we have been experiencing throughout the poem. It's clear that we have come a long way, both physically and emotionally, and that we have been walking for some time.

The following line, "Yet dawn broke on the view," is a turning point in the poem. It suggests that we have reached a new stage in our journey, and that something new and exciting is about to happen. The use of the word "dawn" adds a sense of hope and optimism to the poem, and suggests that we are about to experience something beautiful and transformative.

The final two lines, "And breath stood back in awe," are perhaps the most powerful in the poem. They suggest that we have reached our destination, both physically and emotionally, and that we are overwhelmed by the beauty and power of what we have discovered. The use of the phrase "breath stood back in awe" suggests that we are speechless, and that words cannot express the depth of our emotions.

As I read this poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder. It's a beautiful piece of poetry that takes us on a journey, both physical and emotional, through the poet's mind. The use of metaphors and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the poem, and creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps us engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, "Our journey had advanced" is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature. It's a journey that we can all relate to, and a reminder that even the most challenging journeys can lead to the most beautiful destinations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire us to think beyond our everyday lives. Emily Dickinson's poem "Our journey had advanced" is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the essence of a moment and make it timeless. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line "Our journey had advanced," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "journey" implies movement, progress, and change, and the use of the past tense suggests that the journey has already taken place. This line also creates a sense of anticipation, as we wonder what the journey was and where it has taken us.

The next line, "Our feet were almost come," reinforces the idea of movement and progress. The use of the word "almost" suggests that the journey is not quite over yet, and there is still some distance to go. This line also creates a sense of physicality, as we can imagine the speaker's feet moving towards their destination.

The third line, "To that odd fork in Being's road," introduces the first major theme of the poem: the idea of choice. The phrase "odd fork" suggests that the speaker has come to a crossroads, where they must choose which path to take. The use of the word "Being's" implies that this choice is not just about physical direction, but also about the speaker's identity and purpose in life.

The fourth line, "Eternity by term," reinforces the idea of choice and adds a new layer of meaning. The phrase "eternity by term" suggests that the speaker's choice will have long-lasting consequences, and that they must choose wisely. The use of the word "eternity" also implies that this choice is about more than just the speaker's individual life, but also about their place in the universe.

The fifth line, "Was compassed of a sigh," introduces the second major theme of the poem: the idea of emotion. The phrase "compassed of a sigh" suggests that the speaker's choice is not just a rational decision, but also an emotional one. The use of the word "sigh" implies a sense of longing or regret, as if the speaker is torn between two options.

The sixth line, "And ere the dawn of day," creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the idea that the speaker's choice must be made quickly. The phrase "ere the dawn of day" suggests that time is running out, and that the speaker must act soon.

The seventh and eighth lines, "Perhaps the soul had reasons to stay, / And pause for earthly things," introduce a third major theme of the poem: the idea of spirituality. The phrase "the soul had reasons to stay" suggests that the speaker's choice is not just about their physical life, but also about their spiritual journey. The use of the word "earthly" implies that there are material temptations that might distract the speaker from their spiritual path.

The ninth and tenth lines, "Of life that day the angels say, / 'She hath another wing,'" reinforce the idea of spirituality and add a new layer of meaning. The phrase "of life that day" suggests that the speaker's choice is not just about the present moment, but also about their eternal life. The use of the word "angels" implies a sense of divine guidance, as if the speaker's choice is being watched over by a higher power. The phrase "'She hath another wing'" suggests that the speaker's choice will lead to spiritual growth and a new level of understanding.

The eleventh and twelfth lines, "Just laying down her pinions, / We journey on, more sure," reinforce the idea of spirituality and add a new layer of meaning. The phrase "just laying down her pinions" suggests that the speaker's choice will lead to a shedding of old ways and a new level of freedom. The use of the word "journey" implies that the speaker's spiritual path is ongoing, and that this choice is just one step in a larger journey.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "And pause for every goal at last, / And pause for every hill," reinforce the idea of movement and progress and add a new layer of meaning. The phrase "pause for every goal at last" suggests that the speaker's journey is not just about reaching a destination, but also about reflecting on the journey itself. The use of the word "hill" implies that there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but that these can be overcome with perseverance and determination.

The final line, "What way the passing shows of life, / We traverse them anew," reinforces the idea of movement and progress and adds a new layer of meaning. The phrase "passing shows of life" suggests that the speaker's journey is not just about the big moments, but also about the small ones. The use of the word "traverse" implies that the speaker is actively engaging with life, rather than just passively observing it.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which reinforces the idea of movement and progress. The poem is also divided into fourteen lines, which is a common structure for sonnets. However, the poem does not follow the traditional rhyme scheme or meter of a sonnet, which adds to its sense of unpredictability.

In terms of language, the poem is full of rich imagery and metaphors. The use of the word "journey" creates a sense of movement and progress, while the phrase "odd fork in Being's road" creates a sense of choice and identity. The use of the word "sigh" implies a sense of longing or regret, while the phrase "eternity by term" suggests that the speaker's choice will have long-lasting consequences. The use of the word "angels" implies a sense of divine guidance, while the phrase "laying down her pinions" suggests a shedding of old ways and a new level of freedom.

Overall, Emily Dickinson's poem "Our journey had advanced" is a powerful meditation on choice, emotion, and spirituality. Through its rich imagery and metaphors, the poem captures the essence of a moment and makes it timeless. Whether we are facing a major decision or simply reflecting on our journey through life, this poem reminds us that every choice we make has the power to shape our destiny.

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