I Cried at Pity -- Not at Pain --

24 lines

Emily Dickinson·1830–1886·Lyric·American lyric poetry

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Summary Meaning

The poem interrogates the emotional economy of pity, presenting it as a meager, sour offering that paradoxically provokes a stronger reaction than physical pain. Dickinson employs the extended metaphor of wine as pity, emphasizing its insufficiency and the speaker's humiliating thirst in a wilderness of need. Philosophically, the poem critiques the transactional nature of human connection, where empathy is a stingy 'frugal Host' demanding a nerve for a 'shade' of friendship. The tone is ironically reserved yet raw, blending surprise with a stoic recognition of pity's impoverished yet exacting design. Ultimately, the work uses metaphysical conceit to suggest that emotional exchanges leave the self diminished, trading a tangible loss for an intangible ghost.

cried at Pity -- not at Pain --

I heard a Woman say

"Poor Child" -- and something in her voice

Convicted me -- of me --

So long I fainted, to myself

It seemed the common way,

And Health, and Laughter, Curious things --

To look at, like a Toy --

To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy

And see the Parcel rolled --

And carried, I supposed -- to Heaven,

For children, made of Gold --

But not to touch, or wish for,

Or think of, with a sigh --

And so and so -- had been to me,

Had God willed differently.

I wish I knew that Woman's name --

So when she comes this way,

To hold my life, and hold my ears

For fear I hear her say

She's "sorry I am dead" -- again --

Just when the Grave and I --

Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,

Our only Lullaby --

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