Our lives are Swiss - A poem by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson - Our lives are Swiss

Our lives are Swiss --
So still -- so Cool --
Till some odd afternoon
The Alps neglect their Curtains
And we look farther on!

Italy stands the other side!
While like a guard between --
The solemn Alps --
The siren Alps
Forever intervene!

Added: on December 2nd, 2004 at 2:30 PM | Viewed: 4855 times | Comments and analysis of Our lives are Swiss by Emily Dickinson Comments (3)

Our lives are Swiss - Comments and Information
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 80. Our lives are Swiss Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Poem of the Day: Dec 2 2004 Comment 3 of 3, added on June 21st, 2005 at 7:15 AM. While I enjoy all those contemporary poets you mention, I've got to give the nod to Dickinson. With such concision and power, she tweaks our understanding of the language and the world around us. This poem is a marvelous example! In ten little lines she sums up exactly what it's like to have a passion that is unrealizable. How many "Swiss lives" continue to be lead every day? This poem is a masterpiece. JW from United States Comment 2 of 3, added on June 18th, 2005 at 1:10 PM. Brilliant poem! The Alps are the eyes and Italy is the soul. The eyes are "windows to the soul" but you can't always see through someone's eyes into their soul except on "some odd afternoon" when the eyes neglect their "curtains", whatever mask it is we hide behind! Joseph from Egypt Comment 1 of 3, added on December 2nd, 2004 at 2:30 PM. Do you ever take suggestions for new poets? Like: Yusef Kumanyakaa or Billy Collins, Robert Bly or Sonia Sanchez? I have been visiting almost daily, and am wondering why there is such a large number of days dedicated to Dickinson? I realize she is talked about more than say Sanchez, but don't you think someone like Sanchez is a much better poet? Tameca from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Our lives are Swiss, has received 3 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Emily Dickinson with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 80. Our lives are Swiss Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Last read: Jul 25 2008, 4:26AM Poem of the Day: Dec 2 2004 Viewed 4855 times. Added on December 2nd, 2004 at 2:30 PM.

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