Forgotten (Poem by Emily Dickinson)

Forgotten

By Emily Dickinson

There is a word

    Which bears a sword

    Can pierce an armed man.

It hurls its barbed syllables, — 

    At once is mute again.

But where it fell

The saved will tell

    On patriotic day,

Some epauletted brother

    Gave his breath away.

Wherever runs the breathless sun,

    Wherever roams the day,

There is its noiseless onset,

    There is its victory!

Behold the keenest marksman!

    The most accomplished shot!

Time's sublimest target

    Is a soul 'forgot'!

Poem Analysis:

Emily Dickinson’s poem Forgotten explores themes of memory, loss, and the power of words. Through her signature cryptic and compact style, Dickinson conveys the paradoxical nature of a word that is both powerful and fleeting, capable of wounding yet fading into silence. The poem also presents a meditation on time, remembrance, and the tragedy of being forgotten.

Power of Words as Weapons

The poem begins by describing "a word" as a weapon, stating:

There is a word

Which bears a sword

Can pierce an armed man.

This metaphor establishes words as powerful and destructive, likening them to swords that can pierce through even the strongest defense. The phrase "armed man" suggests that even those who are prepared for battle can fall victim to the force of words. The second stanza reinforces this idea with “barbed syllables,” suggesting that language can be sharp, painful, and lasting. However, Dickinson juxtaposes this with the notion that the word becomes “mute again,” emphasizing its transient nature—once spoken, it disappears, leaving only its impact behind.

Remembrance and Sacrifice

The middle section of the poem shifts to the theme of remembrance, particularly in the context of war and sacrifice:

But where it fell

The saved will tell

On patriotic day,

Some epauletted brother

Gave his breath away.

Here, Dickinson introduces the image of a fallen soldier, referred to as an “epauletted brother,” signifying military rank and duty. The idea that "the saved will tell on patriotic day" implies that the memory of sacrifice is only acknowledged at certain times, such as national holidays. This suggests that even heroic deeds may be remembered only selectively, reinforcing the theme of fading recognition.

Time and the Fate of the Forgotten

The final stanza shifts the poem’s focus from war to a more universal contemplation of time and obscurity:

Behold the keenest marksman!

The most accomplished shot!

Time's sublimest target

Is a soul 'forgot'!

Here, Dickinson personifies time as a "marksman" that ultimately claims everyone. The phrase “Time’s sublimest target” suggests that the greatest casualty of time is not death itself but being forgotten. The final line, “a soul ‘forgot’,” emphasizes the ultimate erasure of existence when memory fades. Unlike the earlier depiction of words as powerful weapons, time is presented as the ultimate force that silences all.

Emily Dickinson’s Forgotten is a profound meditation on the ephemeral nature of words, the selective remembrance of sacrifice, and the inevitability of obscurity. The poem challenges the idea of immortality through memory by suggesting that, in the end, even the most significant lives and words can be erased by time. It serves as both a tribute to those who are remembered and a poignant lament for those who are ultimately forgotten.