If I Can (Emily Dickinson)
It is so hopeful, this poem. In those moments when I think my life’s work is not worthwhile, I turn to this poem—“if I can… help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.” I love the fourfold repetition of the word “one”—stop ONE heart, ease ONE life, cool ONE pain, help ONE fainting. When I’m feeling overwhelmed—it reminds me—just do something!
It is so hopeful, this poem. In those moments when I think my life’s work is not worthwhile, I turn to this poem—“if I can… help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.” I love the fourfold repetition of the word “one”—stop ONE heart, ease ONE life, cool ONE pain, help ONE fainting. When I’m feeling overwhelmed—it reminds me—just do something!
It is so hopeful, this poem. In those moments when I think my life’s work is not worthwhile, I turn to this poem—“if I can… help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.” I love the fourfold repetition of the word “one”—stop ONE heart, ease ONE life, cool ONE pain, help ONE fainting. When I’m feeling overwhelmed—it reminds me—just do something!