A Coffin—is A Small Domain Poem by Emily Dickinson
A Coffin—is A Small Domain
A Coffin—is a small Domain,
Yet able to contain
A Citizen of Paradise
In it diminished Plane.
A Grave—is a restricted Breadth—
Yet ampler than the Sun—
And all the Seas He populates
And Lands He looks upon
To Him who on its small Repose
Bestows a single Friend—
Circumference without Relief—
Or Estimate—or End—
I like Dickinson, yet this is such a 'theological' poem that I simply cannot enjoy it. My view is that a poem which exists in order to celebrate or put forward ideas is secondary poetry.
Straw says he likes Dickinson, yet in another review he called her 'insane.' And what is wrong with a theological poem? Obviously if you disregard all poems because of this quality you will eliminate most of the worlds great work. My conclusion, Straw gas no idea what he is doing or says.
A Coffin—is a small Domain, Yet able to contain A Citizen of Paradise...A grave is identified through emotional perception. This poem is very brilliantly and excellently penned.
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4/26/2024 5:20:40 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Let those who would carp at a very fine poem do so. There's much to praise in Dickinson's neat and concise little poem. If only some of the coomments posted on this site were half as concise and near as neat, we could praise circumference without relief!