1872-1875 Summary

Deeds are the topic of Poem 1294. In this poem Emily states deeds begin as thoughts, and then are carried out through the will. At this point these thoughts will either turn into actions, or they will die. If they die, only God knows these thoughts even existed. Likewise in Poem 1251 Emily encourages her readers to consider time with kindness. She insinuates that when the end of time sneaks up on each human, they will find time did his best.

The changing beliefs from childhood to adulthood about God and Jesus are discussed in Poem 1280. In the first two stanzas of the poem Emily talks about the beliefs held by children about God and Jesus. Children generally believe what they have been told by others, Emily deduces. In the following two stanzas Emily writes about the adult view of the Father and the Son...