Poem Analysis - Ourselves Were Wed One Summer Dear

A Fleeting Union

Emily Dickinson's "Ourselves Were Wed One Summer dear" is a poignant reflection on a brief but deeply impactful connection, likely a relationship or friendship. The poem begins with a tone of tender reminiscence, quickly shifting to one of sorrow and eventual acceptance. It explores the themes of love, loss, and divergent paths, painting a picture of a shared experience that ultimately ended in separation and individual journeys. The poem is imbued with a sense of melancholy, yet it also hints at a quiet resilience in the face of change.

Love's Ephemeral Nature

One of the primary themes explored in the poem is the fleeting nature of love and connection. The line "Ourselves were wed one summer dear" immediately establishes a bond, but the temporal limitation of "one summer" suggests its impermanence. The phrase "Your Vision was in June" further emphasizes this, linking the intensity of the relationship with the peak of summer's bloom. However, the following line, "And when Your little Lifetime failed," introduces the idea of mortality, highlighting the fragility of life and love. The speaker's subsequent weariness, "I wearied too of mine," demonstrates the profound impact of this loss on her own sense of being.

Diverging Paths and Separate Fates

The poem also delves into the theme of divergent paths and separate fates. The lines, "'Tis true Our Futures different lay / Your Cottage faced the sun / While Oceans and the North must be / On every side of mine," create a stark contrast between the two individuals' lives. The sunlit cottage suggests warmth, happiness, and perhaps a conventional life, while the "Oceans and the North" evoke isolation, hardship, and a more turbulent journey. This separation is further emphasized by the imagery of the gardens: "Your Garden led the Bloom, / For mine in Frosts was sown." These contrasting images suggest that while they shared a moment of unity, their fundamental destinies were always distinct.

Illumination and Acceptance

The image of "Some one carrying a Light" is a recurring symbol in the poem that represents guidance and understanding in the face of darkness and loss. After being "overtaken in the Dark," the speaker receives the "Sign" carried by this figure, suggesting a newfound acceptance or a shift in perspective. The identity of this person is intentionally ambiguous, potentially representing a mentor, a spiritual guide, or simply the realization that one must move on. The "Sign" itself could symbolize a realization of the different paths, or acceptance of the other person’s death, or a new calling. This moment of illumination allows the speaker to navigate her own path, even after the initial connection has faded.

A Queen's Transient Reign

The final lines, "And yet, one Summer, we were Queens / But You were crowned in June," offer a bittersweet conclusion. The image of being "Queens" suggests a shared experience of power, joy, or fulfillment, however temporary. The fact that the other person was "crowned in June" further emphasizes the early bloom and subsequent fading of their reign. Despite the eventual separation and different journeys, the poem acknowledges the significance of that "one Summer" and the shared experience of royalty, even as it underscores the ephemeral nature of life and relationships. Ultimately, the poem is a poignant meditation on the lasting impact of a fleeting connection and the acceptance of diverging paths.