Emily Dickinson is renowned for her deeply reflective and often unconventional poetry, where nature frequently plays a central role. Through her work, Dickinson explores the beauty, mystery, and ever-changing aspects of the natural world. In this collection, we will look into ten of her poems that vividly capture the essence of nature, with excerpts and detailed interpretations to highlight the depth of her observations.
1. "A Bird Came Down the Walk" (Poem #328)
A Bird came down the Walk –
He did not know I saw –
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw... Read Full Poem
This poem captures a moment of quiet observation as the speaker watches a bird in its natural habitat. The detailed description of the bird’s actions reflects both the beauty and brutality of nature. Dickinson's close attention to the bird’s behavior underscores her fascination with the natural world, highlighting the delicate balance between life and survival.
2. "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" (Poem #1096)
A Narrow Fellow in the Grass
Occasionally rides –
You may have met Him – did you not
His notice sudden is – ...Read Full Poem
This poem describes an encounter with a snake, capturing the simultaneous beauty and fear that nature can evoke. The "Narrow Fellow" represents the unexpected and often unsettling elements of the natural world. Dickinson’s choice of imagery emphasizes the stealthy presence of the snake, and the way it moves undetected until it's almost too late to react, mirroring the unpredictable aspects of life itself.
3. "There’s a Certain Slant of Light" (Poem #258)
There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons –
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes –... Read Full Poem
In this poem, Dickinson reflects on the emotional impact of winter light. The "certain Slant of light" in the winter afternoon creates a sense of melancholy and introspection. This light is not just a physical phenomenon but carries with it an oppressive weight, much like a powerful piece of music in a cathedral. Dickinson uses nature to explore deeper psychological and existential themes, showing how natural elements can profoundly affect the human spirit.
4. "I Started Early – Took My Dog" (Poem #520)
I started Early – Took my Dog –
And visited the Sea –
The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me –...Read Full Poem
This poem narrates an encounter between the speaker and the sea, personified with mythical elements like mermaids. Dickinson uses the imagery of the sea to explore themes of adventure, freedom, and the unknown. The sea’s vastness and power are juxtaposed with the speaker’s solitude, creating a sense of both awe and fear. The sea becomes a metaphor for the subconscious and the boundless possibilities that lie within it.
5. "The Wind Begun to Knead the Grass" (Poem #315)
The Wind begun to knead the Grass –
As Women do a Dough –
He flung a Hand full at the Plain –
A Hand full at the Sky –...Read Full Poem
In this poem, Dickinson personifies the wind, likening its movement to that of a woman kneading dough. The wind’s actions are described with a sense of playfulness, as it tosses the grass like dough into the air. Through this comparison, Dickinson captures the wind’s ability to shape and alter the landscape, highlighting the power and unpredictability of natural forces.
6. "Nature, the Gentlest Mother" (Poem #790)
Nature, the Gentlest Mother,
Impatient of no Child,
The feeblest – or the waywardest –
Her Admonition mild –...Read Full Poem
This poem presents nature as a nurturing and caring mother figure, gentle and patient with all her "children," no matter how weak or rebellious. Dickinson’s portrayal of nature as a maternal force emphasizes its ability to care for and sustain life, providing a comforting and protective presence. The poem reflects a deep reverence for the natural world and its capacity for kindness and patience.
7. "A Light Exists in Spring" (Poem #812)
A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here... Read Full Poem
In this poem, Dickinson captures the unique quality of light in early spring, which she describes as something that cannot be found at any other time of the year. The light represents hope, renewal, and the promise of new beginnings. As spring begins to emerge, the world is bathed in this special light, symbolizing the transition from the dormancy of winter to the vitality of spring.
8. "The Sky is Low – the Clouds are Mean" (Poem #1090)
The Sky is low – the Clouds are mean.
A Traveling Flake of Snow
Across a Barn or through a Rut
Debates if it will go –...Read Full Poem
This poem reflects on the dreariness of the winter sky and the small, almost insignificant movements of snowflakes. Dickinson uses the imagery of a low sky and mean clouds to convey a sense of oppression and gloom. The snowflake's indecision about where to land mirrors the uncertainty and indecision that can accompany bleak winter days, highlighting the subtle yet powerful effects of nature on mood and thought.
9. "The Mountains – Grow Unnoticed" (Poem #902)
The Mountains – grow unnoticed –
Themselves a purple creature –
Surpassing even the oldest customs –
Their Seasons – not of hands...Read Full Poem
In this poem, Dickinson describes the mountains as majestic and eternal, growing unnoticed by those around them. The mountains are personified as a "purple creature," suggesting a living presence that transcends human understanding. This poem reflects on the timeless and enduring nature of the mountains, emphasizing their permanence in a world where everything else is subject to change.
10. "A Slash of Blue" (Poem # 265)
A Slash of Blue –
A sweep of Gray –
Some scarlet patches on the way,
Compose an Evening Sky –...Read Full Poem
This poem captures the beauty of a sunset with its vivid colors, described as "a slash of blue" and "a sweep of gray" with "scarlet patches." Dickinson’s precise imagery highlights the fleeting and transient nature of the evening sky, capturing a moment of natural beauty that is both powerful and serene. The poem reflects on the ever-changing nature of the sky, a reminder of the impermanence of all things.
Through these ten poems, Emily Dickinson offers a profound exploration of nature, revealing its beauty, mystery, and power. Her keen observations and unique interpretations of the natural world provide insight into both the external environment and the inner workings of the human mind. Dickinson’s nature-themed poetry continues to resonate, offering timeless reflections on the relationship between humans and the natural world.
