Emily Dickinson, 591: I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -

     Emily Dickinson's poems always confuse me the first time I read them, which frustrates me, but once I dig into them I appreciate them so much!  I really liked her poem that begins with "I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -"  Before I came to college, I definitely had a different view of death than I have now.  When people died, I always used the classic lines, like they're "somewhere better" or "finally at peace" or assured people (myself included) that their dead loved one wouldn't want them to be sad.  But after taking theology classes, I have come to understand that death is not a good thing, and should be grieved.  It disrupts life unapologetically.  Dickinson portrays it this way in her poem; death is not the next step to happiness or "stepping into the light," it's simply the end of life--life that is good.  Dickinson's poem is very anticlimactic and matter of fact.  She refuses to allude to the classic scene of "stepping into the light" that many use when describing death.  In this poem, Dickinson challenges the reader to recognize that life as it was meant to be is found in life--not death.  As Christians, this is something we can put our hope in; that although death is inevitable, Christ offers us life in resurrection--real, physical life.  Dying is not the end!  Thanks, Emily.