Grief Is a Mouse
poem 793
Grief Is a Mouse - meaning Summary
Grief Personified as Intruder
Dickinson personifies grief through shifting metaphors—mouse, thief, juggler, gourmand, tongueless witness—to show its furtive, invasive, and performative qualities. The poem portrays grief as hiding within the self, startling and stealing, masking pain with distraction, and hoarding experience rather than speaking it. Its concluding image—grief impervious to coercion or confession—emphasizes silence and inscrutability, suggesting emotional wounds that resist explanation or public display.
Read Complete AnalysesGrief is a Mouse And chooses Wainscot in the Breast For His Shy House And baffles quest Grief is a Thief quick startled Pricks His Ear report to hear Of that Vast Dark That swept His Being back Grief is a Juggler boldest at the Play Lest if He flinch the eye that way Pounce on His Bruises One say or Three Grief is a Gourmand spare His luxury Best Grief is Tongueless before He’ll tell Burn Him in the Public Square His Ashes will Possibly if they refuse How then know Since a Rack couldn’t coax a syllable now.
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