Emily Dickinson

The Sun and Moon Must Make Their Haste

poem 871

The Sun and Moon Must Make Their Haste - meaning Summary

Divine Light and Human Sight

The poem contrasts cosmic light—sun, moon, stars—with a singular, overwhelming divine light that makes celestial bodies seem to hasten or vanish. God’s gaze encompasses all directions and outshines lesser lights, causing smaller illuminations to flee. Addressing a limited, distant human eye, the speaker reassures that the Lord provides a personal, intimate light—a candle—kept expressly for that diminished sight. The tone mixes awe of divine transcendence with tender consolation for human smallness.

Read Complete Analyses

The Sun and Moon must make their haste The Stars express around For in the Zones of Paradise The Lord alone is burned His Eye, it is the East and West The North and South when He Do concentrate His Countenance Like Glow Worms, flee away Oh Poor and Far Oh Hindred Eye That hunted for the Day The Lord a Candle entertains Entirely for Thee

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