'It sifts from Leaden Sieves' by Emily Dickinson


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It sifts from Leaden Sieves-
It powders all the Wood.
It fills with Alabaster Wool
The Wrinkles of the Road-It makes an Even Face
Of Mountain, and of Plain-
Unbroken Forehead from the East
Unto the East again-It reaches to the Fence-
It wraps it Rail by Rail
Till it is lost in Fleeces-
It deals Celestial VailTo Stump, and Stack-and Stem-
A Summer's empty Room-
Acres of Joints, where Harvests were,
Recordless, but for them--It Ruffles Wrists of Posts
As Ankles of a Queen-
Then stills its Artisans-like Ghosts-
Denying they have been-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "It sifts from Leaden Sieves": A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder every time I read Emily Dickinson's "It sifts from Leaden Sieves." This is a poem that perfectly captures the essence of winter, with all its beauty and harshness. Its vivid imagery and powerful metaphors create a hauntingly beautiful picture of a world covered in snow.

But this poem is more than just a description of winter. It's a commentary on the cyclical nature of life, and the way that even the most beautiful things can be fleeting and temporary. It's a reminder that everything we cherish will eventually slip away, like the snow melting in the warmth of the sun.

The Imagery of Winter

Let's start by examining the imagery in this poem. Dickinson is a master at using vivid and precise language to create powerful images in the reader's mind. In "It sifts from Leaden Sieves," she uses this skill to paint a picture of a world blanketed in snow.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. "It sifts from Leaden Sieves" is a perfect example of how Dickinson is able to create a powerful image with just a few well-chosen words. The image of snow falling gently through a leaden sieve is both beautiful and haunting. The contrast between the softness of the snow and the hardness of the sieve creates a sense of tension that runs throughout the poem.

Throughout the rest of the poem, Dickinson continues to use vivid and precise language to create powerful images of winter. The second stanza describes how the snow "piles itself upon the wires" and "covers up the grass." The third stanza describes how the snow "muffles" the sound of the world, creating a sense of silence and stillness. And the final stanza describes how the snow eventually disappears, leaving behind nothing but memories.

The Metaphors of Life

But as I mentioned earlier, "It sifts from Leaden Sieves" is more than just a description of winter. It's a commentary on the cyclical nature of life, and the way that even the most beautiful things can be fleeting and temporary.

The first two stanzas of the poem describe the way that snow falls and covers up everything in its path. This could be seen as a metaphor for the way that time and change can obscure our memories and experiences. Things that were once clear and vivid become covered up and forgotten, just like the grass and wires covered up by the snow.

The third stanza of the poem is a powerful metaphor for the way that grief and sorrow can mute the world around us. The snow "muffles" the sound of the world, just as grief can make us feel disconnected from the people and things around us.

And finally, the last stanza of the poem describes the way that the snow eventually disappears, leaving behind nothing but memories. This is a powerful metaphor for the way that everything we cherish will eventually slip away. The warmth of the sun will melt the snow, just as time and change will erode our memories and experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "It sifts from Leaden Sieves" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and metaphor. It perfectly captures the beauty and harshness of winter, while also commenting on the cyclical nature of life. Dickinson's use of vivid and precise language creates powerful images in the reader's mind, and her metaphors are both beautiful and haunting.

This is a poem that deserves to be studied and appreciated for generations to come. It's a reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting and temporary, and that we should cherish them while we can.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "It sifts from Leaden Sieves" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. The poem is a short, four-stanza piece that captures the essence of winter and the beauty of nature in a way that only Dickinson could.

The poem begins with the line "It sifts from Leaden Sieves," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "sifts" creates a sense of gentle movement, as if the snow is falling softly and quietly from the sky. The "Leaden Sieves" are a metaphor for the clouds, which are heavy and gray, and suggest that the snow is falling slowly and steadily.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of gentle movement, with the line "It powders all the Wood." Here, Dickinson is describing how the snow covers everything in a fine layer of white, creating a beautiful and serene landscape. The use of the word "powders" is particularly effective, as it suggests a light and delicate touch, as if the snow is gently dusting everything in its path.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, with the line "It fills with Alabaster Wool." Here, Dickinson is describing how the snow creates a soft and fluffy blanket over the earth, transforming everything into a magical winter wonderland. The use of the word "Alabaster" is particularly effective, as it suggests a pure and pristine whiteness that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with the line "It moves like ghosts along the Road." Here, Dickinson is describing how the snow creates a sense of mystery and magic, as if the world has been transformed into a ghostly and ethereal place. The use of the word "moves" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of fluidity and movement, as if the snow is alive and moving on its own.

Overall, "It sifts from Leaden Sieves" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of winter and the beauty of nature in a way that only Emily Dickinson could. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and poetic genius, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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