Emily Dickinson

When We Stand on the Tops of Things

poem 242

When We Stand on the Tops of Things - meaning Summary

Perspective Reveals Moral Clarity

The poem describes a vantage point of moral or spiritual elevation from which the world looks clearer. From the tops of things the fog of appearances lifts and only those with flaw show disturbance. Steady, "sound" people and the perfect remain unshaken and unafraid, upheld by their deeds. Cosmic images — stars and suns — underline uneven goodness in the world, while constancy and proof make true character reliable.

Read Complete Analyses

When we stand on the tops of Things And like the Trees, look down The smoke all cleared away from it And Mirrors on the scene Just laying light no soul will wink Except it have the flaw The Sound ones, like the Hills shall stand No Lighting, scares away The Perfect, nowhere be afraid They bear their dauntless Heads, Where others, dare not go at Noon, Protected by their deeds The Stars dare shine occasionally Upon a spotted World And Suns, go surer, for their Proof, As if an Axle, held

default user
PoetryVerse just now

Feel free to be first to leave comment.

8/2200 - 0