Embracing Loss: A Reflection on Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson’s verse, "Each that we lose takes part of us; A crescent still abides, Which like the moon, some turbid night, Is summoned by the tides," is a profound reflection on the nature of loss. Dickinson suggests that with each loss we endure, a piece of us is taken away. Yet, like a crescent moon, something of that loss remains, subtly influencing us. This lingering presence, much like the moon’s persistent glow even on cloudy nights, is called forth by the tides of memory and emotion.
The Crescent Moon: Symbolism of What Remains
In Dickinson’s poetry, the crescent moon serves as a metaphor for the enduring fragments of what we have lost. Even as we move through life, these remnants remain, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible, depending on the "turbid night" of our emotions. The moon, in its phases, reflects the cyclical nature of grief and remembrance—sometimes faint, sometimes full, but always present in some form.
The Tides: Time and the Pull of Memory
The reference to tides in the poem is particularly poignant. Tides, governed by the moon, ebb and flow just as our emotions do. They symbolize the inevitable pull of memory and the passage of time, which can bring forth the lingering feelings and thoughts tied to our losses. Just as the tides are influenced by the moon’s phases, our memories are often stirred by the events and moments in our lives that remind us of what we’ve lost.
The Impact of Loss on Our Lives
Dickinson’s words remind us that loss is not something that simply fades away. Instead, it reshapes us, leaving behind parts of itself that continue to influence our lives. The "crescent" that remains within us can be a source of quiet reflection, guiding us through the darker nights of our emotional journey.
In embracing this perspective, we can find comfort in the idea that while loss changes us, it also leaves us with something that, like the moon, can provide a quiet, constant light in our lives.
