Poetry

Book Title/ Site: The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Poem Title: I Heard A Fly Buzz When I Died 
Author: Emily Dickinson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date Published: 1976
ISBN: 9780316184137

About the poem: 

This poem is about death and the atmosphere and scene of which it occurs. It is told from the perspective of the person deceased rather than the living. As this goes on, a fly comes into the picture and interupts the peace changing the whole atmosphere. 

Below is the poem:

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died 

I heard a fly buzz when I died;

The stillness round my form

Was like the stillness in the air

Between the heaves of storm.

The eyes beside had wrung them dry,

And breaths were gathering sure

For that last onset, when the king

Be witnessed in his power.

I willed my keepsakes, signed away

What portion of me I

Could make assignable, and then

There interposed a fly,

With blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz,

Between the light and me;

And then the windows failed, and then

I could not see to see.

Poem Review: These are the types of poems that I always struggled with as a kid. All of the hidden meanings and symbolisms used throughout the poem are complex ideas that most children would probably not understand. Although Emily Dickonson is a commendable poet, I think that her poems are more suitable for high school students and adults. The topic of death may be a little harsh for young children especially when presented in such a abstract and confusing way. Unless a substantial amount of support is provided, I think that using these types of poems in instruction can lead to frustration and discourage children from wanting to read poetry. I give this poem a 3 out of 5.