It feels a shame to be Alive —
When Men so brave — are dead —
One envies the Distinguished Dust —
Permitted — such a Head —

The Stone — that tells defending Whom
This Spartan put away
What little of Him we — possessed
In Pawn for Liberty —

The price is great — Sublimely paid —
Do we deserve — a Thing —
That lives — like Dollars — must be piled
Before we may obtain?

Are we that wait — sufficient worth —
That such Enormous Pearl
As life — dissolved be — for Us —
In Battle’s — horrid Bowl?

It may be — a Renown to live —
I think the Man who die —
Those unsustained — Saviors —
Present Divinity —

Analysis, meaning and summary of Emily Dickinson's poem It feels a shame to be Alive

1 Comment

  1. Noel says:

    She is talking about the soldiers in war. They are the brave ones, the ones that are sacrificed for the sake of the cause. She is commending the heroes who give their lives in the heat of battle.

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