Who were “the Father and the Son”
We pondered when a child,
And what had they to do with us
And when portentous told

With inference appalling
By Childhood fortified
We thought, at least they are no worse
Than they have been described.

Who are “the Father and the Son”
Did we demand Today
“The Father and the Son” himself
Would doubtless specify —

But had they the felicity
When we desired to know.
We better Friends had been, perhaps,
Than time ensue to be —

We start — to learn that we believe
But once — entirely —
Belief, it does not fit so well
When altered frequently —

We blush, that Heaven if we achieve —
Event ineffable —
We shall have shunned until ashamed
To own the Miracle —

Analysis, meaning and summary of Emily Dickinson's poem Who were “the Father and the Son”

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Your email address will not be published.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.