Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem “A Cap of Lead Across the Sky” by Emily Dickinson is a reflection on the power of grief and how it can cast a heavy shadow over one’s life. The poem speaks of how grief can sometimes feel like a “cap of lead” that covers the sky and casts a dark shadow over everything. The poem is composed of four quatrains, each ending with an internal rhyme. In the first quatrain, the poet speaks of how grief can feel like a heavy weight, making it difficult to move forward. In the second quatrain, the poet speaks of how grief can feel like a “cap of lead across the sky”, suggesting a sense of heaviness and despair. In the third quatrain, the poet speaks of how grief can make one feel isolated and alone. Finally, in the fourth quatrain, the poet speaks of how grief can be a source of strength and resilience, suggesting that even in times of darkness and despair, there is still hope. Through the poem, Dickinson conveys her understanding of the power of grief and its ability to cast a dark shadow over one’s life