There is another sky
by Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886)
…
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields –
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!
A poem whose meaning is open to some interpretation-
There is another sky by Emily Dickinson
has an effortless quality of expression
evoking imagery of nature’s beauty in a garden scene.
Though simple, the poem sparks an element of quiet mystery.
At a glance, it seems an address
that the poet directs to her brother William Austin Dickinson
known as Austin.
The poem seems to serve a purpose
of comforting him
in the wake of some unfortunate occurence;
of advising him
to consider a perspective of positive outlook;
of reminding him
that as a loving sister, she can offer solace in his time of need.
The cause of the unrest unknown; yet this little matters.
It is the effect which is of importance.
…
Though it may well be a poem with Austin as specific audience,
the poem resonates with the wider, general readership.
Its message seems to be one
of looking to the future
for new beginnings / opportunities and
of leaving to the past
memories of disappointments / heartaches.
…
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