There came a Day at Summer's full - A poem by Emily Dickinson

There came a Day at Summer's full, Entirely for me -- I thought that such were for the Saints, Where Resurrections -- be -- The Sun, as common, went abroad, The flowers, accustomed, blew, As if no soul the solstice passed That maketh all things new -- The time was scarce profaned, by speech -- The symbol of a word Was needless, as at Sacrament, The Wardrobe -- of our Lord -- Each was to each The Sealed Church, Permitted to commune this -- time -- Lest we too awkward show At Supper of the Lamb. The Hours slid fast -- as Hours will, Clutched tight, by greedy hands -- So faces on two Decks, look back, Bound to opposing lands -- And so when all the time had leaked, Without external sound Each bound the Other's Crucifix -- We gave no other Bond -- Sufficient troth, that we shall rise -- Deposed -- at length, the Grave -- To that new Marriage, Justified -- through Calvaries of Love --

Poet: Emily Dickinson
Poem: 322. There came a Day at Summer's full
Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Year: Published/Written in 1955
Poem of the Day: Dec 17 2004

Comment 2 of 2, added on May 11th, 2007 at 1:17 AM.

Thank you so much for giving such an honour. I feel that this poem is trying to say that every life has to pass through certain definite stages, often painful, to reach the final stage of death. This is understood as the culmination or marriage with god, based on selfless love. The summer season, of which the poet is the part beautiful enough, to make her realise this. The poem has strong christia overtones, which establish the poet's conviction of fulfilment in life.

chaitali maitra from India

Comment 1 of 2, added on May 24th, 2005 at 12:38 PM.

Well, well, well. I can't believe I am the first one to comment on this poem. I feel it is a great honor to be the first one listed on this comment page. Thank you for this great honor. I think she's trying to say that nature can be like an almost religious experience of sorts. You see, she says that nature is so beautiful that only the holiest people should behold it.

Blahdy di Blah-Blah from United States

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