A Dew Sufficed Itself

By Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Lyric Poem
    A dew sufficed itself     And satisfied a leaf,     And felt, 'how vast a destiny!     How trivial is life!'     The sun went out to work,     The day went out to play,     But not again that dew was seen     By physiognomy.     Whether by day abducted,     Or emptied by the sun     Into the sea, in passing,     Eternally unknown.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Lyric Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a profound exploration of transience, the significance of small moments, and the vastness of existence. The poem commences with a dewdrop on a leaf, a seemingly insignificant moment in nature. The dewdrop, personified, marvels at the enormity of its destiny and the triviality of life. This serves to underscore the theme of life's fleeting nature and the significance of seemingly minor events or entities.

The second part of the poem introduces another day, with the sun and day personified as entities going out for work and play respectively, adding a playful tone. However, the dewdrop from the first part has disappeared, representing the ephemeral nature of existence. The final lines question whether the dew was taken by the day or evaporated by the sun into the sea, reinforcing the theme of transience and the eternal unknown.

The poem's structure, a series of four-line stanzas, or quatrains, lends a rhythm to the work, while the use of personification breathes life into ordinary natural elements. This poem is a poignant exploration of life's fleeting moments, the grandeur of the universe, and the mystery of existence, beautifully encapsulated in everyday natural phenomena.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.