At Length by Emily Dickinson (1890)
The poem explores the idea of a person's life being a series of moments that are both fleeting and significant. The speaker describes how each moment is like a thread in a tapestry, with its own unique texture and color. As the moments pass, they become intertwined to form a larger picture. The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, suggesting that our lives are short and ephemeral. The speaker notes that even the most beautiful moments will eventually fade away, leaving behind only memories. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that life is a complex and multifaceted thing. They describe how each moment has its own unique beauty and significance, but also how it is connected to other moments in a larger narrative. The overall tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, inviting the reader to reflect on their own experiences and the nature of existence.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy · 127 words
First lines
Her final summer was it, And yet we guessed it not; If tenderer industriousness Pervaded her, we thought
A further force of life Developed from within, -- When Death lit all the shortness up, And made the hurry plain.
We wondered at our blindness, -- When nothing was to see But her Carrara guide-post, -- At our stupidity,
When, duller than our dullness, The busy darling lay, So busy was she, finishing, So leisurely were we!
What this Textopian page supports
At Length 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, Elegy, American Literature, 19th Century Literature
- Length: 127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of death and reflection on a life ending align with the traditional elements of an elegy.
- American Literature — The work is part of the broader category of American literature, reflecting themes and styles of its period.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Death and Mortality · Spirituality · Philosophy · Existentialism · Mortality · Elegy · Lyric Poetry · Free Verse