Before the Ice is in the Pools, Emily Dickinson: Summary & Analysis
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"Before the Ice is in the Pools" by Emily Dickinson contemplates the anticipation of wondrous experiences before their arrival. The poem paints a vivid picture of the moments just before winter sets in, evoking a sense of eager expectation and the magic of the unknown. Before the Ice is in the Pools
Before the ice is in the pools —
Before the skaters go,
Or any check at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow —
Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!
What we touch the hems of
On a summer's day —
What is only walking
Just a bridge away —
That which sings so — speaks so —
When there's no one here —
Will the frock I wept in
Answer me to wear?
Summary "Before the Ice is in the Pools" portrays the speaker's eager anticipation of wondrous experiences. The poem begins by describing the moments before winter arrives — before ice forms in the pools, before skaters take to the ice, and before the snow tarnishes …