#1052 I never saw a Moor–
I never saw the Sea–
Yet know I how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be. I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven–
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Checks were given-
–Wow. I have to say a feel a connection to this poem since I believe in God without having physical evidence of Him. Ms. Dickinson puts it simply in that she’s never seen “a moor” or “the sea” yet she knows what “heather”(shrubby things in moors) and what a “billow” (of waves, I assume) looks like. In this same way, Ms. Dickinson knows God exists even though she’s never spoken to him or seen Heaven. I almost get this image that Dickinson is reasoning her belief in God by comparing him to the ocean. Through the Bible and her faith, these instruments are jutification enough that He exists.
The entire poem is so ambigious however(especially with the idea of faith verses proof), and leaves much to be questioned. I have to wonder if this is a clue about the poem. Is Ms. Dickinson serious?Why didn’t she focus more? Am i to take Her at Her Word?
Of course! Take a good poet always at oma’s word. But don’t stop there…let the word take you away.