"There's a Certain Slant of Light"There's a certain slant of light,

On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.

None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.

Analysis/ Comment

Depression and death are two main themes of this poem. These elements have always been present in the poet’s life, and this is how she tries to make her depression stand out: using her style to express her feeling in a mysterious way, yet understandable, and like always, full of comparisons and metaphors of from nature to reach the readers’ heart and hit them with emotions being read only once. Depression in this poem is represented by the “certain slant of light” that oppresses people like the church songs. Although depression hurts people, it leaves no scar behind, because this feeling actually damages internal feelings, which is worse. Depression does not need a guide on how to get to people’s hearts, it is created by the different negative emotions like suffering etc. When it comes, one would expect the worse waiting for damages in us. But once it leaves the heart, the only path for feelings to be released is through death: suicide.

The journey of depression through our souls is a very dangerous and sad situation. It comes slowly to kill one’s soul to finish it, by the help of death. Depression is strong, but not impossible to fight against. Although it is impossible to prevent death, it is better to die peacefully and naturally instead of depression.

Link
http://mb.sparknotes.com/mb.epl?b=786&m=398510&p=15&t=44389