After great pain, a formal feeling comes - A poem by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson - After great pain, a formal feeling comes

After great pain, a formal feeling comes --
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs --
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round --
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought --
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone --

This is the Hour of Lead --
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow --
First -- Chill -- then Stupor -- then the letting go --

Added: on March 5th, 2008 at 9:13 PM | Viewed: 36625 times | Comments and analysis of After great pain, a formal feeling comes by Emily Dickinson Comments (17)

After great pain, a formal feeling comes - Comments and Information
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 341. After great pain, a formal feeling comes Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Poem of the Day: Nov 8 2003 Comment 17 of 17, added on September 15th, 2008 at 3:55 AM. The day my father died this poem came to my mind. Sure it can be about many kinds of "pain". However, the death of a beloved calls stronger for it. Alvaro from Brazil Comment 16 of 17, added on May 9th, 2008 at 11:05 AM. i think this poem is about death fanjatiana Comment 15 of 17, added on March 5th, 2008 at 9:13 PM. While I agree this poem is indeed about death, I don't believe that it is from the standpoint of those who have lost a loved one, but rather of the apparent pronouns Emily creates out of words that are regularly nouns- "Heart", "Nerves", "Air" etcetera. If you read it like these objects and feelings are beings themselves, your outlook on the poem shifts. ellen from Canada More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, After great pain, a formal feeling comes, has received 17 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: 341. After great pain, a formal feeling comes Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Last read: Jul 3 2009, 5:12PM Poem of the Day: Nov 8 2003 Viewed 36625 times. Added on March 5th, 2008 at 9:13 PM.

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