The Night Was Wide, and Furnished Scant
poem 589
The Night Was Wide, and Furnished Scant - meaning Summary
Winter Interior and Empathy
This short Dickinson poem sketches a cold, spare night and the small domestic responses to it. External elements—single star, wind, sleet—emphasize desolation while interior scenes (checking blinds, drawing a rocking chair nearer the fire) show practical, sympathetic care. The speaker contrasts harsh weather with the comfort of home and notices vulnerability, particularly "the Poor," suggesting moral attention to others’ needs amid winter austerity.
Read Complete AnalysesThe Night was wide, and furnished scant With but a single Star That often as a Cloud it met Blew out itself for fear The Wind pursued the little Bush And drove away the Leaves November left then clambered up And fretted in the Eaves No Squirrel went abroad A Dog’s belated feet Like intermittent Plush, he heard Adown the empty Street To feel if Blinds be fast And closer to the fire Her little Rocking Chair to draw And shiver for the Poor The Housewife’s gentle Task How pleasanter said she Unto the Sofa opposite The Sleet than May, no Thee
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