Emily Dickinson

[toma2004]

It's a bit hard to understand thoroughly her poems. I have met a problem interpreting the poem named "I've known a Heaven, like a Tent-"


I've known a Heaven, like a Tent --
To wrap its shining Yards --
Pluck up its stakes, and disappear --
Without the sound of Boards
Or Rip of Nail -- Or Carpenter --
But just the miles of Stare --
That signalize a Show's Retreat --
In North America --

No Trace -- no Figment of the Thing
That dazzled, Yesterday,
No Ring -- no Marvel --
Men, and Feats --
Dissolved as utterly --
As Bird's far Navigation
Discloses just a Hue --
A plash of Oars, a Gaiety --
Then swallowed up, of View.


The first time i read it, i totally did not understand. However, for now i kinda comprehend a bit about what it. I still need more help to know her hidden messages that she wants to convey to the reader. Interpreting about this poem is a great help for me, especially focusing on the poetic devices that she uses and why does she use it and how?

Thanks in advance.

[Gladys]

I've known perhaps long ago and in much happier times a Heaven metaphor: a time of boundless life and joy, like a Tent simile: safe enclosure --
To wrap pack up for departure its shining Yards a blissful outdoor enclosure --
Pluck up its stakes metaphor: packing up, and disappear --
Without the sound of Boards
Or Rip of Nail -- Or Carpenter Biblical allusion to Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth: with no messianic fanfare -- metaphors: joy vanishing with a vacant silence
But just the miles of Stare -- imagery: the poet stunned by joy's departure
That signalize a Show's Retreat -- imagery: the let down we experience when a great circus or entertainment leaves town for good
In North America --

No Trace -- no Figment of the Thing
That dazzled, Yesterday, the joy of heaven has vanished without trace, once.
No Ring -- no Marvel --
Men, and Feats -- parallel: no circus ring an no performance feats symbolising no joy left
Dissolved as utterly -- metaphor: heavenly joys dissolve and vanish
As Bird's far Navigation simile: the poet has memories like a migrating bird detects an indistinct aura
Discloses just a Hue --
A plash of Oars, a Gaiety -- Metaphor: a gentle splash of oars, gay but ephemeral
Then swallowed up, of View. Finally, nothing is left - the poet is left desolate, bereft of heaven, perhaps left with a personal hell - a blankness.