Psalm of the Day by Emily Dickinson
The poem explores themes of spirituality and mortality, with a focus on the speaker's introspection and emotional state. The language is characterized by its concise and enigmatic style, typical of Dickinson's work. The poem can be seen as an expression of the speaker's longing for transcendence and connection to something greater than themselves. It also touches on the idea that even in death, there may be a form of continuity or existence beyond the physical world. The imagery used is often abstract and open to interpretation, which adds to the poem's mystique and complexity. The tone is contemplative and melancholic, with a sense of resignation and acceptance. In terms of literary devices, the poem employs metaphor, symbolism, and personification to convey its themes and ideas. The use of nature imagery, such as the sun and the sea, serves to emphasize the speaker's emotional state and their connection to the natural world. The poem can be seen as a reflection on the human condition, with all its attendant struggles and uncertainties. It is a deeply personal and introspective work that invites the reader to reflect on their own place in the world and their relationship to mortality.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Transcendentalism · 276 words
First lines
A something in a summer's day, As slow her flambeaux burn away, Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer's noon, -- An azure depth, a wordless tune, Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer's night A something so transporting bright, I clap my hands to see;
Then veil my too inspecting face, Lest such a subtle, shimmering grace Flutter too far for me.
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Psalm of the Day 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, Nature, Transcendentalism, Philosophical, Spiritual
- Length: 276 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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Similar titles
- Times Lesson by Emily Dickinson
- Who Has Not Found The Heaven Below by Emily Dickinson
- Fringed Gentian by Emily Dickinson
- The Waiting by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Coming Of Night by Emily Dickinson
- The Farthest Thunder That I Heard by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The themes and imagery are heavily centered around natural elements such as summer, flowers, and bees.
- Transcendentalism — The poem explores themes of transcendence and the sublime, reflecting a transcendentalist perspective.
- Philosophical — The work contemplates existential and philosophical ideas about ecstasy and the human experience.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Spirituality · Mortality · Nature · Philosophy · Existentialism · Free Verse · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory