My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun - In Corners - till a Day The Owner passed - identified - And carried Me away - And now We roam in Sovereign Woods - And now We hunt the Doe - And every time I speak for Him - The Mountains straight reply -
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker feels like a dormant weapon activated by a master, gaining purpose and voice only through that relationship.
- In plain terms
- I was idle until someone gave me a purpose, and now I act on their behalf.
- What can you take from it?
- Purpose often comes from being recognized and utilized by others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you feel like a tool or a creator?
- Who gave you your current purpose?
Another view
It frames agency as dependent on an external owner.
More from Emily Dickinson
Since then - 'tis Centuries - and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity -
Permalink to quote #16 We outgrow love, like other things And put it in the Drawer - Till it an Antique fashion shows - Like Costumes Grandsires wore.
Permalink to quote #18 Because I could not stop for Death - He kindly stopped for me - The Carriage held but just Ourselves - And Immortality. We slowly drove - He knew no haste And …
Permalink to quote #15
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