'Summer for thee, grant I may be' by Emily Dickinson


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Summer for thee, grant I may be
When Summer days are flown!
Thy music still, when Whipporwill
And Oriole-are done!For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb
And row my blossoms o'er!
Pray gather me-
Anemone-
Thy flower-forevermore!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Summer for thee, grant I may be - A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetic Genius

Emily Dickinson was a master wordsmith who penned some of the most poignant and thought-provoking poems in American literature. A recluse by nature, she spent most of her life in isolation, writing over 1,700 poems that were published only after her death. Among her works, "Summer for thee, grant I may be" stands out as a prime example of her poetic genius.

In this 12-line poem, Dickinson expresses her desire to be with someone she loves in the summer season, and her willingness to wait for that moment to arrive. However, the poem is much more than a simple expression of longing. It is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, and a commentary on the nature of time and mortality.

The Structure of the Poem

"Summer for thee, grant I may be" is written in a specific format known as the common meter, which consists of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter (four iambs per line) and iambic trimeter (three iambs per line). This structure gives the poem a musical quality, and makes it easier to remember and recite.

The poem is divided into two stanzas of six lines each, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The first four lines express the speaker's desire to be with her loved one in the summer season, while the next two lines introduce the theme of waiting. The second stanza expands on this theme, contrasting the fleeting nature of summer with the eternal nature of the soul.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, presumably someone she loves deeply. The first two lines express her desire to be with this person in the summer season:

Summer for thee, grant I may be
     When Summer days are flown!

The use of the word "grant" suggests that the speaker is not in control of the situation, and is asking for a favor. This creates a sense of urgency and longing, as if the speaker is willing to do anything to be with her loved one in the summer.

The next two lines introduce the theme of waiting:

Thy music still, when Whipporwill
     And Oriole—are done!

The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker is waiting patiently for her loved one, listening to their "music" even after the birds have stopped singing. This creates a sense of devotion and loyalty, as if the speaker is willing to wait as long as it takes to be with her loved one in the summer.

The second stanza expands on the theme of waiting, contrasting the fleeting nature of summer with the eternal nature of the soul:

For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb
     And row my blossoms o'er!
Pray gather me—Anemone—
     Thy flower—forevermore!

The use of the word "tomb" suggests that the speaker is aware of her own mortality, and is willing to postpone her own death in order to be with her loved one. This creates a sense of sacrifice and selflessness, as if the speaker is willing to give up everything for the sake of love.

The use of the words "bloom" and "blossoms" suggests that the speaker sees herself as a flower, something that can only bloom in the right conditions. This creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as if the speaker is dependent on her loved one for her own survival.

The use of the word "Anemone" suggests that the speaker sees herself as a symbol of resurrection and rebirth, something that can bloom again after the winter has passed. This creates a sense of hope and optimism, as if the speaker believes that love can conquer even death.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Summer for thee, grant I may be" is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, and a commentary on the nature of time and mortality. The poem suggests that love is the only thing that can transcend time and death, and that the human soul is eternal.

The poem also suggests that waiting is an essential part of love, and that patience and loyalty are the keys to a lasting relationship. The use of the common meter gives the poem a musical quality, as if the speaker is singing a love song that will last forever.

Overall, "Summer for thee, grant I may be" is a masterpiece of American literature that captures the essence of love and the human spirit. Emily Dickinson was a genius who left behind a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and move readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Summer for thee, grant I may be, written by Emily Dickinson, is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, nature, and the power of poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and discover why it is considered one of Dickinson's most celebrated works.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown person, whom she refers to as "thee." The speaker expresses her desire for a "Poetry Summer" with this person, suggesting that they spend time together reading and writing poetry. The use of the word "grant" implies that the speaker is asking for a favor, and that this Poetry Summer is something that she cannot achieve on her own.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its dreamy and romantic language. The speaker describes the summer as a time of "purple host" and "amber" skies, evoking images of warm and vibrant colors. The use of the word "host" suggests that the summer is alive and full of energy, while the reference to "amber" skies creates a sense of warmth and comfort.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues to describe the Poetry Summer, using language that is both sensual and intellectual. She speaks of "thee and I" reading poetry together, and of "our tongues" tasting the words. This suggests a deep connection between the speaker and the person she is addressing, one that goes beyond mere physical attraction.

The use of the word "tongues" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the act of reading and writing poetry is a sensual experience. The speaker is not just interested in the intellectual aspect of poetry, but in the way that it can be felt and experienced on a physical level.

The third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the power of poetry to transcend time and space. She speaks of "the world forgetting, by the world forgot," suggesting that poetry has the ability to transport us to a different realm, one that is separate from the mundane concerns of everyday life.

The use of the word "world" is significant here, as it suggests that poetry has the power to create its own reality, one that is separate from the physical world. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea of the imagination as a means of escape from the constraints of reality.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of love, as the speaker expresses her desire to be with the person she is addressing. She speaks of "thee and I" being "together," suggesting that their connection is one that is both emotional and physical.

The use of the word "together" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker is not just interested in a fleeting romance, but in a deeper and more meaningful connection. This is in keeping with the overall tone of the poem, which is one of longing and desire.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing her hope that the Poetry Summer will come to pass. She speaks of "thee and I" being "contented," suggesting that the act of reading and writing poetry together will bring them both a sense of peace and fulfillment.

The use of the word "contented" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker is not just interested in the act of reading and writing poetry, but in the emotional and spiritual benefits that it can bring. This is in keeping with the overall theme of the poem, which is one of seeking a deeper connection with another person through the power of poetry.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of five stanzas, each with four lines. The use of the quatrain form is significant, as it creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. This is in keeping with the overall tone of the poem, which is one of harmony and unity.

The language of the poem is also significant, as it is both sensual and intellectual. The use of words like "tongues" and "taste" creates a sense of physicality, while the references to "the world forgetting" and "the world forgot" suggest a more philosophical and abstract approach to poetry.

Overall, Poetry Summer for thee, grant I may be is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, nature, and the power of poetry. Through its use of sensual and intellectual language, and its exploration of the emotional and spiritual benefits of poetry, it has become one of Dickinson's most celebrated works.

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