'Kill your Balm-and its Odors bless you' by Emily Dickinson
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Kill your Balm-and its Odors bless you-
Bare your Jessamine-to the storm-
And she will fling her maddest perfume-
Haply-your Summer night to Charm-Stab the Bird-that built in your bosom-
Oh, could you catch her last Refrain-
Bubble! "forgive"-"Some better"-Bubble!
"Carol for Him-when I am gone"!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in the literary world. Her poetry has captivated readers for decades, and her unique style and use of language have inspired countless writers. One of her most thought-provoking and intriguing poems is "Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, style, and use of language.
Overview of the Poem
"Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a short poem that consists of only four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which is characterized by short lines, unconventional punctuation, and the use of dashes. The poem's structure is simple but effective, with each line building on the previous one to create a powerful message.
Analysis of the Poem
The first line of the poem, "Kill your Balm," is a directive that commands the reader to get rid of their balm. In this context, balm refers to anything that is used to soothe or heal. The second line, "and its Odors bless you," is a paradoxical statement that seems to contradict the first line. The word "Odors" suggests that the balm has a pleasant scent that can be enjoyed, but the word "bless" implies that getting rid of it is a positive thing.
This paradoxical statement is typical of Dickinson's style, which often uses language in unexpected ways to create a sense of surprise and wonder. The use of dashes in this line is also significant, as it suggests a pause or a break in the thought process, which adds to the poem's enigmatic quality.
The third line of the poem, "Birds, if they only knew it," introduces a new element to the poem. The use of birds as a metaphor suggests that there is a natural instinct to seek out soothing and healing remedies. However, the use of the word "only" suggests that birds are not aware of the negative effects of these remedies, which is why they continue to seek them out.
The final line of the poem, "Cherish Balms and they betray you," is a warning that suggests that relying too heavily on remedies can lead to negative consequences. The word "Cherish" implies that people hold these remedies in high regard and rely on them heavily, but the word "betray" suggests that they can be harmful in the long run.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a poem that is open to interpretation. The poem's meaning is not immediately clear, and it requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. One interpretation of the poem is that it is a warning against relying too heavily on remedies and the dangers of self-medication.
The use of birds as a metaphor suggests that seeking out remedies is a natural instinct, but the use of the word "only" suggests that animals are not aware of the negative effects of these remedies. This interpretation suggests that humans, who are aware of the potential dangers, should be more cautious when using remedies.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of dependency. The use of the word "Cherish" suggests a sense of attachment and dependency on remedies, while the word "betray" suggests that this dependency can be harmful in the long run. This interpretation suggests that people should be careful not to become too dependent on external remedies and should instead seek out internal sources of healing and strength.
Conclusion
"Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a short but powerful poem that is open to interpretation. Its use of language and syntax is typical of Dickinson's style, which often uses unconventional techniques to create a sense of surprise and wonder. The poem's meaning is not immediately clear, but with careful analysis, it becomes evident that it is a warning against the dangers of dependency and the need for caution when using remedies. Overall, "Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a thought-provoking and intriguing poem that continues to captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Poetry - Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry - Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "kill" is a strong and powerful verb that suggests that poetry has the ability to destroy something, while the word "balm" refers to a soothing or healing substance. This line suggests that poetry has the power to both harm and heal, and that its effects are complex and multifaceted.
The next line, "Bare your soul - let the winds caress you," is equally powerful and evocative. The phrase "bare your soul" suggests that poetry has the ability to penetrate deep into the human psyche, revealing our innermost thoughts and emotions. The phrase "let the winds caress you" suggests that poetry has a gentle and soothing effect, like a soft breeze blowing across our skin.
The third line, "Discard the mask - let the truth confess you," is perhaps the most powerful and important line in the poem. The phrase "discard the mask" suggests that poetry has the ability to strip away the layers of pretense and artifice that we use to hide our true selves from the world. The phrase "let the truth confess you" suggests that poetry has the ability to reveal our true selves to ourselves and to others, allowing us to be honest and authentic in our relationships and interactions.
The fourth line, "To the winds - and the waves - and the heavens address you," suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us to the natural world and to the divine. The phrase "to the winds" suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us to the elemental forces of nature, while the phrase "to the heavens" suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us to the divine or spiritual realm.
The fifth and final line, "And the stars will shine - and the winds will sing - and your soul will bless you," is a beautiful and uplifting conclusion to the poem. The phrase "the stars will shine" suggests that poetry has the ability to inspire us and fill us with wonder and awe, while the phrase "the winds will sing" suggests that poetry has the ability to lift our spirits and fill us with joy. The phrase "your soul will bless you" suggests that poetry has the ability to nourish and sustain us, filling us with a sense of purpose and meaning.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem consists of five lines, each of which is relatively short and simple. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, reflecting the idea that poetry is a form of creative expression that is not bound by rules or conventions.
One of the most striking features of the poem is Dickinson's use of punctuation and capitalization. Dickinson often used dashes to create pauses and breaks in her poetry, and this is evident in "Poetry - Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you." The dashes create a sense of fragmentation and disjunction, reflecting the idea that poetry is a form of expression that can be both chaotic and unpredictable. Dickinson also capitalized certain words in the poem, such as "Bare" and "Discard," which gives these words a sense of importance and emphasis.
Another important literary device used in the poem is imagery. Dickinson uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of the power and beauty of poetry. The phrase "let the winds caress you" creates a sense of gentle, soothing touch, while the phrase "the stars will shine" creates a sense of wonder and awe. The use of imagery in the poem helps to create a vivid and memorable picture in the reader's mind, making the poem more powerful and effective.
In conclusion, "Poetry - Kill your Balm - and its Odors bless you" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complex and multifaceted nature of poetry. The poem suggests that poetry has the power to both harm and heal, to reveal our true selves, to connect us to the natural world and the divine, and to inspire and uplift us. The poem is characterized by Dickinson's unique style, which includes unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, as well as vivid and evocative imagery. This poem is a testament to the power and beauty of poetry, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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