'You love the Lord-you cannot see' by Emily Dickinson


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You love the Lord-you cannot see-
You write Him-every day-
A little note-when you awake-
And further in the Day.An Ample Letter-How you miss-
And would delight to see-
But then His House-is but a Step-
And Mine's-in Heaven-You see.

Editor 1 Interpretation

You love the Lord- you cannot see: A literary criticism and interpretation

Emily Dickinson was known for her unique and unconventional poetic style, and her poem "You love the Lord- you cannot see" is no exception. In this 16-line poem, she explores themes of faith and the unseen, using her characteristic use of dashes and unconventional capitalization.

The structure and form of the poem

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB, which gives it a musical quality. Dickinson's use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence beyond a line break, contributes to the fluidity of the poem.

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four stressed and unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality, and contributes to its musicality.

The theme of faith and the unseen

At its core, "You love the Lord- you cannot see" is a poem about faith. Dickinson suggests that faith is a powerful force that cannot be seen, but is nonetheless present. She writes:

You love the Lord- you cannot see-
You write Him- every day-
A little note- when you awake-
And further in the Day.

Here, Dickinson is describing someone who loves God, but cannot see Him. The act of writing to God every day is a form of devotion and faith. The note that is written each morning is a way of acknowledging God's presence, even if it cannot be seen.

In the second stanza, Dickinson continues to explore the theme of faith:

An Ample Letter- How you miss-
And would delight to see-
But then His House-is but a Step-
And Mine's- in Heaven-You see.

Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the act of writing to God is like sending a letter to a loved one who is far away. The writer longs to see the recipient, but in this case, God's house is only a step away. The idea of God's house being close at hand is a reference to the concept of heaven as a place of eternal rest and peace.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson writes:

Yet- Distance be it-
Cannot prevent-
Ample as the Heart-
As soon as Love is sent-

Here, Dickinson is suggesting that distance cannot prevent love from reaching its intended recipient. Love, like faith, is a powerful force that cannot be seen, but is nonetheless present. The heart is "ample," or generous, and as soon as love is sent, it is received.

Dickinson's use of dashes and unconventional capitalization

One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of dashes and unconventional capitalization. In "You love the Lord- you cannot see," she uses dashes to create pauses and breaks in the text. This contributes to the rhythm of the poem, and gives it a musical quality.

In addition, Dickinson's use of unconventional capitalization (such as capitalizing words for emphasis, or not capitalizing words that would normally be capitalized) contributes to the unique style of the poem. For example, in the first line, she capitalizes the words "Lord" and "Day" for emphasis.

Conclusion

"You love the Lord- you cannot see" is a powerful exploration of faith and the unseen. Emily Dickinson's use of structure, form, and language contribute to the poem's musicality and unique style. The theme of faith is central to the poem, as Dickinson suggests that love and devotion to God are powerful forces that cannot be seen, but are nevertheless present. Overall, the poem is a testament to the power of faith and the human spirit.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry You Love the Lord-You Cannot See: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry You Love the Lord-You Cannot See." This poem is a beautiful exploration of faith, love, and the power of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line "Poetry you love the Lord-you cannot see." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. It suggests that the poem is about the relationship between poetry and faith. The use of the word "love" implies that the speaker has a deep affection for poetry and the Lord. However, the phrase "you cannot see" suggests that the speaker's relationship with the Lord is not based on physical evidence. Instead, it is based on faith.

The second line of the poem reads, "You write him every day-A little note." This line suggests that the speaker writes poetry as a way of communicating with the Lord. The use of the word "note" implies that the speaker's poems are short and simple. However, the fact that the speaker writes to the Lord every day suggests that poetry is an important part of their spiritual practice.

The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "When you were small-And could not spell." These lines suggest that the speaker has been writing poetry since childhood. The fact that the speaker could not spell when they were young implies that their poems were not always grammatically correct. However, the fact that the speaker has been writing poetry for so long suggests that it is an integral part of their identity.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "He loved to hear you spell-And praised your 'furrowed' brow." These lines suggest that the Lord takes pleasure in the speaker's poetry. The fact that the Lord "loved to hear" the speaker spell suggests that the Lord values the speaker's efforts, even if they are not perfect. The use of the word "furrowed" suggests that the speaker's efforts are sincere and heartfelt.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Nor ever guessed the Rich-Scarlet it was-his pleasure to see." These lines suggest that the speaker's poetry is more than just words on a page. The use of the word "Rich-Scarlet" suggests that the speaker's poetry is full of emotion and passion. However, the fact that the Lord "never guessed" suggests that the speaker's poetry is not meant to impress or please anyone but themselves and the Lord.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "Has he a 'cheek' like a rose-If it be any he-Or is he like the meadow-That blossometh for the bee?" These lines suggest that the speaker is curious about the Lord's appearance. The use of the word "cheek" suggests that the speaker is imagining the Lord as a human being. However, the fact that the speaker asks if the Lord is like a meadow suggests that the Lord is more than just a physical being.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "Oh, if he be like thee!-He will not blush to see-How far from home-Or School-We are." These lines suggest that the speaker is comforted by the idea that the Lord is like them. The use of the word "blush" suggests that the speaker is not ashamed of their distance from home or school. Instead, they are confident that the Lord understands and accepts them.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "Nor wonder if the faculties-May sometimes lie-By the roadside in a heap." These lines suggest that the speaker is acknowledging the difficulties of life. The use of the word "faculties" suggests that the speaker is referring to their mental and emotional abilities. The fact that they may "lie by the roadside in a heap" suggests that the speaker is aware of their own limitations.

The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "But strive to reach the further-You nearer to the Lord-Who tore the 'fences' down." These lines suggest that the speaker is encouraging themselves to keep striving towards their spiritual goals. The use of the word "fences" suggests that the speaker is referring to the barriers that prevent them from reaching the Lord. However, the fact that the Lord "tore the 'fences' down" suggests that the Lord is willing to help the speaker overcome these barriers.

The final two lines of the poem read, "Emily Dickinson-1861." These lines suggest that the poem is a personal reflection of the speaker's own spiritual journey. The fact that the poem is signed with the poet's name suggests that the poem is a testament to the power of poetry as a means of self-expression and spiritual exploration.

In conclusion, "Poetry You Love the Lord-You Cannot See" is a beautiful and profound poem that explores the relationship between poetry and faith. The poem suggests that poetry is a means of communicating with the Lord and that the Lord values the speaker's efforts, even if they are not perfect. The poem also suggests that the Lord is more than just a physical being and that the speaker is comforted by the idea that the Lord is like them. Overall, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry as a means of self-expression and spiritual exploration.

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