Poem Analysis - This Was A Poet It Is That

A Poet's Alchemic Touch

Emily Dickinson's "This Was a Poet It Is That" celebrates the transformative power of the poet. The poem conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the poet's ability to find profound meaning in the commonplace. While the initial tone is celebratory and admiring, it subtly shifts to a more contemplative mood as the poem explores the poet's unique perspective and the cost of such insight. The poem ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and perhaps a touch of envy.

Distilling Sense from the Ordinary

One of the central themes in this poem is the poet's ability to extract extraordinary meaning from ordinary experiences. Dickinson uses the metaphor of distillation, saying the poet "Distills amazing sense / From ordinary Meanings." This suggests that the poet is like an alchemist, capable of transforming base materials into something precious and valuable. The "familiar species / That perished by the Door" represents the everyday occurrences that most people overlook, but which the poet can imbue with significance. The speaker expresses surprise that they themselves did not see the potential in these mundane things, highlighting the poet's unique gift.

The Poet as Revealer

Another key theme is the poet as a revealer of truth and beauty. Dickinson describes the poet as "Of Pictures, the Discloser." This suggests that the poet has the power to unveil hidden aspects of reality and to help us see the world in a new light. The phrase "Entitles Us by Contrast / To ceaseless Poverty" is particularly striking. It implies that by showing us the richness and depth that exists within the world, the poet also makes us aware of our own relative lack of perception or understanding. We are "poor" in comparison to the poet's vision.

An Exterior Fortune: The Poet's Detachment

The poem also touches upon the poet's detachment and unique relationship to material possessions. The lines "Of portion so unconscious / The Robbing could not harm / Himself to Him a Fortune / Exterior to Time" suggest that the poet's true wealth lies not in material possessions but in their internal world and their ability to transcend the limitations of time and space. Because the poet is "unconscious" of worldly goods, material loss cannot affect them. Their "fortune" exists outside the realm of temporal concerns, highlighting the poet's focus on the eternal and the intangible.

Final Thoughts on Poetic Significance

In conclusion, "This Was a Poet It Is That" is a powerful tribute to the transformative power of poetry. Dickinson celebrates the poet's ability to find meaning in the mundane, to reveal hidden truths, and to transcend the limitations of the material world. The poem invites us to consider the unique perspective of the poet and the value of art in illuminating our lives. It leaves us with a lingering sense of wonder at the alchemic process of poetic creation and the lasting impact of a poet's vision.