The Battle-Field by Emily Dickinson
This poem explores the aftermath of a battle, where death and destruction have left their mark on the landscape. The speaker describes the desolate scene, with bodies scattered about and nature reclaiming its space. The tone is somber and reflective, inviting the reader to consider the human cost of war.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Lyrical, Elegy · 71 words
First lines
They dropped like flakes, they dropped like stars, / Like petals from a rose, / When suddenly across the June / A wind with fingers goes.
They perished in the seamless grass, -- / No eye could find the place; / But God on his repealless list / Can summon every face.
What this Textopian page supports
The Battle-Field 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, Lyrical, Elegy, Metaphysical, Nature
- Length: 71 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyrical poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of death and remembrance align with the traditional elements of an elegy.
- Metaphysical — The poem explores abstract concepts such as mortality and divine omniscience, common in metaphysical poetry.
Tags
War Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Poetry Collection · Nature Imagery · Death and Mortality · Battlefield Imagery · Civil War Era · Symbolism · Imagery Rich · Free Verse · Existential Themes