Further in Summer than the Birds by Emily Dickinson
Analysis
"Further in Summer than the Birds" is seen as one of the hardest of Dickinson's to comprehend, mostly due to the very little use of punctuation--only two periods and nothing else. With this, it allows her readers to interpret the writing in different ways.
To me, the poem is stating that as summer wears on and finally ends, watching nature is harder, yet still satisfying. It consists of four stanzas with four lines each. The first and third lines of each stanza consists of iambic-quadrameter while the second and fourth lines are iambic-triameter. This helps keep the rhythm even while giving Dickinson the freedom to write longer lines of importance followed by shorter lines full of emotion.
Johnson number: 1068
Poem
Further in Summer than the Birds Further in Summer than the Birds Pathetic from the Grass A minor Nation celebrates Its unobtrusive Mass. No Ordinance be seen So gradual the Grace A pensive Custom it becomes Enlarging Loneliness. Antiquest felt at Noon When August burning low Arise this spectral Canticle Repose to typify Remit as yet no Grace No Furrow on the Glow Yet a Druidic Difference Enhances Nature now
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Nationality
American
Literary Movement
19th Century
Subjects
Animal, Summer