"Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me by Emily Dickinson

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"Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me

127

"Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me—
"Mansions"! Mansions must be warm!
Mansions cannot let the tears in,
Mansions must exclude the storm!

"Many Mansions," by "his Father,"
I don't know him; snugly built!
Could the Children find the way there—
Some, would even trudge tonight!

Emily Dickinson

Read poems about / on: father, children, child, house

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Gillian.E. Shaw (3/12/2005 11:13:00 AM)
The poet begins by using 'mansions' as an illustration for security against the misery of the human condition. The second verse makes reference to the bible and the words Jesus said of his father - God.
The poet concludes that Faith is easier to attain for little children (than adults) because of their innocence;
There is a sense of disilusion in this poem. Wisdom indicates enlightenment and perhaps the poet is sceptical of the advice given; thus the title 'so the wise men tell me'.