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!

Analysis, meaning and summary of Emily Dickinson's poem Our lives are Swiss

3 Comments

  1. frumpo says:

    Our earthly life is like living in Switzerland. But death will get rid of the Alps and show us Italy (heaven).

  2. Joseph says:

    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!

  3. Tameca says:

    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?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding the meaning or the theme of this poem by Emily Dickinson better? If accepted, your analysis will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.