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Poems of Emily Dickinson: My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close

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From: Monarch Notes
Date: 19630101
Author:Dickinson, Emily

Dickinson, Emily
Monarch Notes
01-01-1963
My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close

If we follow the syntax to Emily Dickinson's best poetry carefully, it
reveals itself with a direct simplicity. The first stanza of this poem raises
a doubt as to whether a "third event" (the poet's own death) could equal the
impact of the double loss referred to as "my life closed twice." This loss,
which remains unidentified, seems more "huge" and hopeless" than would her own
death. The last two oft-quoted lines are a deft conclusion, illustrating
Dickinson's capacity for a swift, intense "summing up". "Parting ...

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