Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.
When you have done pray tell me,
Then I, my thoughts, will dim.
Haste! ‘lest while you’re lagging
I may remember him!
"Heart, We Will Forget Him" by Emily Dickinson is a poignant and introspective poem that captures the emotional struggle of moving on from a lost love. The poem reflects on the conflict between the heart's deep attachment to a loved one and the rational mind's attempt to forget and heal.
The poem addresses the heart directly, personifying it as an entity with its own emotions and desires. The speaker acknowledges that the heart's yearning for the lost love is intense and enduring, as indicated by the phrase "when he shall come." The use of masculine pronouns suggests a romantic relationship, emphasizing the emotional depth of the bond.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson contrasts the heart's attachment with the logical mind's attempts to overcome it. The heart's inability to forget is likened to "an idle schoolboy," emphasizing its stubborn persistence. The imagery of the "fingers" brushing away memories highlights the idea of deliberate effort to erase the connection to the loved one.
The final stanza shifts the perspective from the heart to the speaker herself, suggesting that she too is trying to move on from the lost love. The phrase "yet if we should meet" implies a possibility of encountering the loved one again, raising the question of whether the heart's attachment can truly be extinguished.
The poem's brevity, simple language, and use of dashes contribute to its contemplative and reflective tone. Dickinson's trademark use of dashes creates pauses that invite readers to reflect on the conflicting emotions presented.
"Heart, We Will Forget Him" captures the internal struggle that follows the end of a meaningful relationship. The poem speaks to the enduring emotional impact of love and the tension between holding onto the memory of a loved one and the necessity of moving forward. Dickinson's exploration of the heart's persistence and the mind's attempts to heal resonates with anyone who has grappled with the aftermath of a lost connection.
