I had a Guinea Golden
The poem explores the theme of mortality and the afterlife through the speaker's musings on a Guinea Golden, a type of bird known for its vibrant plumage. The speaker reflects on how the bird's beauty will be lost once it dies, much like human life is fleeting and ephemeral. The poem touches on the idea that even in death, there can be a kind of beauty or transcendence, as the bird's spirit may continue to exist in some form.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1859 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy · 371 words
First lines
I HAD A GUINEA GOLDEN.
I had a guinea golden; I lost it in the sand, And though the sum was simple, And pounds were in the land, Still had it such a value Unto my frugal eye, That when I could not find it I sat me down to sigh.
What this Textopian page supports
I had a Guinea Golden is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1859 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: 1859 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy, Metaphysical, Epistolary
- Length: 371 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The poem laments the loss of valued things and friends, a theme common in elegies.
- Metaphysical — The poem explores abstract concepts such as loss and longing, aligning with metaphysical themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Spirituality · Faith · Doubt · Hope