The Skies Can't Keep Their Secret

Emily Dickinson poem w/ rhyme scheme- Part 2: Nature XVI


A THE SKIES can’t keep their secret!
B They tell it to the hills—
C The hills just tell the orchards—
B And they the daffodils!

D A bird, by chance, that goes that way
E Soft overheard the whole.
F If I should bribe the little bird,
G Who knows but she would tell?

H I think I won’t, however,
I It’s finer not to know;
J If summer were an axiom,
I What sorcery had snow?

K So keep your secret, Father!
L I would not, if I could,
M Know what the sapphire fellows do,
N In your new-fashioned world!

Analysis- The skies are physically open to the hills, which are open to orchards, which are open to flowers. A bird is free to go to any of these. The bird could be open to the writer, but the writer would rather stay away and keep unrevealed wonders as they are.
point of view- 1st person
mood- peaceful, curious
alliteration- bribe and bird, sorcery and snow