Poem Analysis - Summer For Thee Grant I May Be

An Introduction to Yearning

Emily Dickinson's "Summer for thee, grant I may be" is a compact and intensely personal poem. It expresses a deep longing for connection and a desire to provide lasting comfort and beauty to a beloved person. The poem begins with a humble request, then subtly shifts to a declaration of devotion and a willingness to transcend even death to fulfill that commitment. The tone is initially supplicating, but gradually transforms into one of confident and unwavering affection.

The Everlasting Bloom: A Theme of Enduring Love

One of the central themes of the poem is enduring love. The speaker desires not just fleeting affection, but to be a constant source of joy for the recipient, even when the "Summer days are flown" and the natural world's beauty has faded. She wishes to be "Thy music still, when Whipporwill / And Oriole are done!" This imagery suggests that she wants to offer a beauty and comfort that persists beyond the transient pleasures of summer. The longing is for a love that defies time and the natural cycle of decay.

Transcendence of Mortality Through Devotion

Another prominent theme is the transcendence of mortality through love. The lines "For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb / And row my blossoms o'er!" are striking in their assertion of the power of love to overcome death. The speaker is willing to defy death itself to continue to bring joy to her beloved. This suggests a love so strong that it extends beyond the physical realm and into the eternal. It reveals a desire to find an everlasting existence through her devotion.

The Symbolic Offering: Anemone and Everlasting Remembrance

The final stanza introduces a powerful symbol of the Anemone. The speaker asks to be gathered as an Anemone, "Thy flower forevermore!" The Anemone, often associated with remembrance and anticipation, becomes a symbol of the speaker's unwavering commitment and desire to be eternally cherished by her beloved. It is a direct offer of herself as a lasting symbol of love and memory. This symbol encapsulates the entire poem's yearning for permanence and an enduring bond.

Concluding Thoughts on Eternal Devotion

In conclusion, "Summer for thee, grant I may be" is a poignant exploration of love's transformative power. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt longing, Dickinson crafts a poem that speaks to the human desire for lasting connection and the willingness to overcome even death to provide comfort and joy to a beloved. The poem leaves us contemplating the profound depths of devotion and the possibility of finding eternity in love's enduring embrace.