It's written by Emily Dickinson, who is my friend's favorite poet. we were reading it the other day and have completely different opinions of what it means/. now i'm curious to see what other people think it means.
I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity.
Nor had I time to love; but since
Some industry must be,
The little toil of love, I thought,
Was large enough for me.
2007-12-17 07:33:10 · 5 answers · asked by Tina 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Poetry
To me it seems as though the author rejects hate because life is too short ("life was not so ample"). And then goes on to say She didn't have time for love either but since a person needs something to do during life ("some industry must be") so love was "large enough for her"
Just my thoughts....what did you think?
2007-12-17 07:49:46 · answer #1 · answered by apex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last two responders seem to be reading this poem pretty well. The shortness of life should stop us from spending our life in hatred -- life is not long enough that one "could finish enmity". Perhaps the same could be said of love, but as Dickinson sees it, "the little toil of love" is the better project.
2007-12-17 16:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by zkauf1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is far too short to waste it on hatred. But even the shortness of life shouldn't stop us from loving.
2007-12-17 15:45:41 · answer #3 · answered by johnslat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That hate is a useless waste of time, whereas love is a useful one
2007-12-17 16:41:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont knoW?
2007-12-17 15:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by Country Girl 07 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋