The poem explores the idea of a person's aspirations being unfulfilled and how this can lead to feelings of disappointment and disillusionment. The speaker describes their aspirations as being like a bird that has flown away, leaving them with nothing but memories of what could have been. The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, suggesting that our aspirations are often cut short by death.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational