Distance — is not the Realm of Fox
Nor by Relay of Bird
Abated — Distance is
Until thyself, Beloved.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Emily Dickinson's poem Distance — is not the Realm of Fox

2 Comments

  1. Ken says:

    Just discovered this wonderful website (here we are in 2022 and I see the comment above is from 2007; shall proceed nevertheless). I like the idea from Saven about a feeling of being lonely inhabiting the poem; that cuts right to how the poet treats ‘distance,’ or so it seems to me. I’m not sure what to make of the poet’s shift from two aspects of the natural world (fox, bird) to the matter of the relationship with the beloved. But no element other than contact with the beloved will allow that distance of separation to be overcome. And I like very much the ‘abbreviated’ nature of the poem. There may be great distances involved but the shortness of the poem works to mitigate that matter. I hope to comment on other poems too and I wonder how active the site is today??

  2. Saven says:

    Dang, just reading it makes me feel lonely! On the one hand, it reminds me of what a teenager might write to a new boyfriend before they realize how creepy it sounds, but it gets it across more sweetly. It must be so frustrating wanting to be close to people but not being able to get to them, both physically and emotionally.

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