Satisfied

By Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Lyric Poem
    One blessing had I, than the rest     So larger to my eyes     That I stopped gauging, satisfied,     For this enchanted size.     It was the limit of my dream,     The focus of my prayer, --     A perfect, paralyzing bliss     Contented as despair.     I knew no more of want or cold,     Phantasms both become,     For this new value in the soul,     Supremest earthly sum.     The heaven below the heaven above     Obscured with ruddier hue.     Life's latitude leant over-full;     The judgment perished, too.     Why joys so scantily disburse,     Why Paradise defer,     Why floods are served to us in bowls, --     I speculate no more.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents a profound exploration of contentment and transcendence through the experience of a single, overwhelming blessing. The poet skillfully employs the themes of satisfaction, spiritual fulfillment, and the mystery of divine allocation of joy. The tone is reflective, almost meditative, suggesting a deep sense of inner peace that the speaker has achieved.

The poem is structured in quatrains with an alternating rhyme scheme, a form that helps underscore the rhythm of contemplation. The use of the phrase "enchanted size" and the contrast between "perfect, paralyzing bliss" and "contented as despair" stand out as potent metaphors that capture the overwhelming nature of the blessing and its paradoxically satisfying effects. The use of language like "phantasms," "ruddier hue," and "latitude" lend a dreamlike, mystical quality to the poem, reinforcing the transcendent nature of the speaker's experience. The poem concludes with the speaker ceasing to question the limited distribution of joy and the delay of paradise, suggesting a complete surrender to the inscrutable wisdom of the divine. This surrender brings the poem full circle, reflecting the profound transformation brought about by the single, significant blessing.

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.