Could Live Did Live
poem 43
Could Live Did Live - meaning Summary
Faith Enabling Fearless Movement
Dickinson sketches a portrait of a single person whose faith allowed them to live boldly, face death, and meet the unfamiliar without fear. The speaker admires that calm readiness—able to smile on the world, leave familiar scenes, and undertake an untraveled journey with an untroubled heart. The poem contrasts that rare, trusting figure with those left behind: observers who watched the "launching" but never mustered the same courage to sail. It registers both admiring wonder and a quiet sense of absence among the community that lacked such trust.
Read Complete AnalysesCould live did live Could die did die Could smile upon the whole Through faith in one he met not, To introduce his soul. Could go from scene familiar To an untraversed spot Could contemplate the journey With unpuzzled heart Such trust had one among us, Among us not today We who saw the launching Never sailed the Bay!
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