Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Dew sufficed itself" is a short poem by Emily Dickinson that reflects on the beauty and self-sufficiency of nature. 

Context:

Emily Dickinson lived during the mid-19th century and was known for her unique writing style, which often used unconventional punctuation and capitalization. She was reclusive and didn't become widely recognized as a poet until after her death. The poem "A Dew sufficed itself" was likely written during the 1860s or 1870s, a time of great change and industrialization in America.

Content:

The poem consists of two short stanzas, each composed of two lines. The speaker reflects on a morning dewdrop, which she describes as being "enough" and self-sufficient. The dewdrop's existence is not dependent on anything else, and it has all it needs to be beautiful and perfect in its own right.

Form:

The poem is composed of two quatrains, each consisting of two lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCCB, with the second and fifth lines rhyming in each stanza. The poem is relatively short, with only eight lines total.

Poetic Elements:

Dickinson uses a metaphor to describe the dewdrop, comparing it to a self-sufficient being. She also uses personification by attributing human qualities to the dewdrop, implying that it has consciousness and autonomy. The poem's language is simple and direct, with a focus on the beauty and self-sufficiency of nature.

Summary:

The poem "A Dew sufficed itself" is a beautiful meditation on the self-sufficiency of nature. It is a reminder that nature is beautiful and perfect in its own right, without needing anything else to make it so. The poem is also notable for its simplicity and directness, which is characteristic of Dickinson's writing style. Overall, "A Dew sufficed itself" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and self-sufficiency of the natural world.

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