Her Smile Was Shaped Like Other Smiles
poem 514
Her Smile Was Shaped Like Other Smiles - context Summary
Published in 1896 Collection
This short lyric uses a commonplace smile to examine concealed emotional pain. Dickinson contrasts an outwardly ordinary expression with sudden internal convulsion, likening the feeling to a bird that forgets its song when reminded of a ball and clings to a twig. The poem’s compressed imagery and abrupt shocks convey fragile self-control and unexpected grief while suggesting how small reminders can undo composure.
Read Complete AnalysesHer smile was shaped like other smiles The Dimples ran along And still it hurt you, as some Bird Did hoist herself, to sing, Then recollect a Ball, she got And hold upon the Twig, Convulsive, while the Music broke Like Beads among the Bog
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