Poem Analysis - I Reckon When I Count It All

A Poet's Hierarchy: Introduction

Emily Dickinson's "I Reckon when I Count It All" is a brief but powerful meditation on the relative importance of earthly and divine wonders. The poem initially presents a seemingly straightforward ranking of valued things, but quickly subverts this order, elevating the poet above nature and even religious concepts. The tone is confident, almost assertive, as the speaker defends the supreme value of poetry. There's a subtle shift from observation to justification as the poem progresses, revealing the speaker's need to legitimize this unconventional prioritization.

The Timeless Power of Poetry: A Central Theme

The central theme of the poem is the superiority of poetry and the poet's role in interpreting and transcending the world. The initial list—"First Poets Then the Sun / Then Summer Then the Heaven of God"—is immediately undermined. The speaker realizes that the "First" (Poets) comprehends the "Whole," rendering the others a "needless Show." This establishes poetry not merely as one valuable thing among others, but as an all-encompassing force that contains and surpasses nature and religion. The poem suggests that the poet's vision is not just important, but foundational.

The Poet's Sun and Summer: Extended Metaphors

The poem employs metaphors to illustrate the power attributed to poets. The lines "Their Summer lasts a Solid Year / They can afford a Sun" suggest that poets possess an enduring vitality and creative force that surpasses the limitations of nature. The "Solid Year" implies a constant state of inspiration and productivity, while the ability to "afford a Sun" hints at the poet's capacity to generate their own light and insight, independent of external sources. These metaphors amplify the poet's self-sufficiency and artistic strength.

Heaven Reimagined: Faith and Poetic Creation

The poem also touches on the theme of the relationship between faith and poetic creation. The speaker questions the extravagance of Heaven, suggesting that poets, in their work, create a paradise that is both beautiful and, perhaps, more accessible. The lines "if the Further Heaven / Be Beautiful as they prepare / For Those who worship Them / It is too difficult a Grace / To justify the Dream" imply that the poet's creation might even surpass the traditional concept of Heaven, or at least offer a more relatable and immediate form of spiritual fulfillment. This invites the reader to ponder whether art can provide its own form of transcendence.

Light and Longing: Analyzing Key Imagery

The images of the "Sun" and "Heaven" are powerful symbols within the poem. The "Sun" typically represents enlightenment, truth, and vitality. By placing poets above the sun, Dickinson suggests they possess an even greater capacity for illuminating the world. The "Heaven of God" symbolizes ultimate spiritual reward and perfection. However, its placement at the bottom of the list, coupled with the speaker's skepticism, implies that poetry offers a more immediate and comprehensible form of grace. The poet's art becomes a tangible, earthly heaven.

Revaluing the Cosmos: Conclusion

"I Reckon when I Count It All" ultimately inverts the conventional hierarchy, placing the creative power of the poet at the apex of existence. Dickinson champions the transformative capacity of art, suggesting that it can not only interpret the world but also surpass its beauty and spiritual significance. The poem leaves us with a profound appreciation for the role of the poet as a creator, sustainer, and interpreter of reality. It is a bold claim for the power of art, and a testament to Dickinson’s conviction in the poet’s unique vision.