Waiting by Emily Dickinson (1890)
The poem explores the theme of longing and anticipation for a loved one's return. The speaker describes the passing of time, the changing seasons, and the natural world, all while waiting for the absent person to come back. The tone is melancholic and introspective, with a sense of yearning and nostalgia.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romantic · 72 words
First lines
I sing to use the waiting, My bonnet but to tie, And shut the door unto my house; No more to do have I,
Till, his best step approaching, We journey to the day, And tell each other how we sang To keep the dark away.
What this Textopian page supports
Waiting 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, Romantic, Philosophical
- Length: 72 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Satisfied by Emily Dickinson
- I Asked No Other Thing by Emily Dickinson
- A Throe Upon The Features by Emily Dickinson
- Till The End by Emily Dickinson
- Except The Heaven Had Come So Near by Emily Dickinson
- The Bustle In A House 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.
- Romantic — Themes of anticipation and emotional expression align with Romantic literary traditions.
- Philosophical — The poem contemplates existential themes such as waiting and the passage of time.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Mortality · Existentialism · Solitude · Longing · Love · Loss · Hope · Faith