Poem Analysis - These Are The Days When Birds Come Back

A Lingering Glimpse of Summer's Past

Emily Dickinson's "These Are the Days When Birds Come Back" is a poignant meditation on the ephemeral nature of beauty and the lingering presence of summer as it fades into autumn. The poem begins with a hopeful, almost expectant tone, but quickly shifts to a more reflective and slightly melancholic mood as the speaker grapples with the deceptive nature of the season's fleeting return. The poem explores themes of remembrance, the illusion of permanence, and a spiritual longing for connection with the natural world, culminating in a plea to partake in the "Sacrament of summer days."

Deceptive Beauty and the Illusion of Return

One central theme in the poem is the illusion of permanence, particularly as it relates to the natural world. The opening lines suggest a return, a renewal of sorts, but this initial optimism is immediately tempered by the qualification of "a very few a Bird or two." The skies, too, "resume / The old old sophistries of June," implying that the apparent return of summer's glory is, in fact, a deception. The phrase "blue and gold mistake" highlights the idea that this beauty is transient and misleading. This concept is further emphasized by the speaker's acknowledgment of the "fraud" that almost convinces her, suggesting a keen awareness of the season's fleeting nature.

Nature's Liturgy and the Yearning for Connection

The poem subtly explores a theme of spiritual longing, framed within the context of the natural world. The latter half of the poem transforms the fading days of summer into a sacred event. The speaker uses religious imagery, referring to the "Sacrament of summer days" and the "Last Communion in the Haze." This elevates the experience of observing the transition from summer to autumn into a quasi-religious ritual. The speaker's desire to "Permit a child to join" suggests a yearning to connect with something larger than herself, to partake in the sacredness of nature's cycle and to find solace in its beauty, even as it fades. The request to partake in the "consecrated bread" and "immortal wine" of summer implies a desire for lasting connection and spiritual nourishment derived from the natural world.

Symbols of Transition and Fleeting Beauty

Several recurring symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. The birds, mentioned in the opening lines, serve as a symbol of hope and return, but their limited numbers suggest a diminished presence, reflecting the waning of summer. The "timid leaf" that "hurries thro’ the altered air" is a powerful image of transience and the inevitability of change. It represents the vulnerability and ephemerality of life and beauty. The "haze," mentioned in relation to the "Last Communion," creates a sense of mystery and ethereal beauty, obscuring the sharp edges of reality and emphasizing the fleeting nature of the moment.

A Final Communion with a Vanishing Season

In conclusion, "These Are the Days When Birds Come Back" is a poignant exploration of the bittersweet beauty of transition and the human longing for connection with the natural world. Through vivid imagery and carefully chosen symbols, Dickinson captures the essence of a season on the verge of change, highlighting the deceptive nature of its fleeting return. The poem's shift from observation to spiritual yearning reveals a deep desire to find meaning and solace in the face of transience, transforming the passing of summer into a sacred experience and a final communion with its vanishing grace. The poem's ambiguity leaves the reader to ponder the speaker's ultimate success in finding lasting connection amidst the fading light, suggesting that even in loss, there is a profound beauty and a source of spiritual sustenance.