Except to Heaven, she is Nought
The poem explores the theme of mortality and the afterlife, with the speaker suggesting that a person's worth is diminished by their earthly existence, implying that true value lies in spiritual realms. The poem presents a bleak view of life on earth, where individuals are seen as insignificant and ephemeral.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1846 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 98 words
First lines
Except to heaven, she is nought; / Except for angels, lone; / Except to some wide-wandering bee, / A flower superfluous blown;
Except for winds, provincial; / Except by butterflies, / Unnoticed as a single dew / That on the acre lies.
The smallest housewife in the grass, / Yet take her from the lawn, / And somebody has lost the face / That made existence home!
Similar titles
- Following by Emily Dickinson
- Problems by Emily Dickinson
- My Birthday by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Void by Emily Dickinson
- Requiem by Emily Dickinson
- Enough by Emily Dickinson
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 thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature — The poem includes themes and imagery related to nature, such as flowers, bees, and butterflies.
- Philosophical — The poem contemplates existence and the significance of seemingly small entities, reflecting philosophical themes.
Tags
Poem · Verse · Literary · Philosophical · Existential · Mortality · Death · Afterlife · Spirituality · Faith · Doubt · Hope
What this Textopian page supports
Except to Heaven, she is Nought is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1846 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: 1846 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature, Philosophical, Metaphysical
- Length: 98 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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