Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem “He Showed Me Heights I Never Saw” by Emily Dickinson is a reflection on the power of love and the impact it can have on one’s life. The poem speaks to the idea that love can open us up to new perspectives and help us to see the world in a different light. The poet has a sense of awe and admiration for the power of love, and she conveys this through vivid imagery and powerful language. The poem is composed of two quatrains, each ending with an internal rhyme. The first quatrain speaks of how love enabled the poet to “see heights I never saw”, suggesting a newfound sense of appreciation for life and the beauty of the world around her. The second quatrain speaks of how love “made me brave” and “gave me strength to stand on peaks”, further emphasizing the transformative power of love. In the poem, Dickinson acknowledges the transformative power of love, and she expresses her feelings of admiration and awe for its ability to open one’s eyes to new possibilities.