As by the Dead we Love to Sit
The poem explores the idea that love transcends death and continues beyond it. The speaker suggests that even after someone has died, their loved ones can still feel a strong connection to them. This connection is described as a physical presence, where the dead person's spirit or essence remains with the living. The poem also touches on the theme of nostalgia and longing. The speaker describes how they would sit by the grave of their loved one, surrounded by memories of happier times. This act of sitting by the grave serves as a way to hold onto these memories and keep the love alive. Throughout the poem, there is a sense of melancholy and wistfulness. The speaker acknowledges that death is a permanent separation, but they find comfort in the idea that their loved one's memory will continue to live on.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Metaphysical · 67 words
First lines
As by the dead we love to sit, Become so wondrous dear, As for the lost we grapple, Though all the rest are here, --
In broken mathematics We estimate our prize, Vast, in its fading ratio, To our penurious eyes!
What this Textopian page supports
As by the Dead we Love to Sit is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Metaphysical, Philosophical, Elegy
- Length: 67 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of the lyric genre.
- Metaphysical — The poem explores abstract concepts such as death and loss, aligning with metaphysical themes.
- Philosophical — The work contemplates existential themes and the nature of human perception, fitting the philosophical genre.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Death and Mourning · Love · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Mortality · Existential Crisis · Philosophical Themes · Spirituality · Afterlife · Grief