He fumbles at your spiritAs players at the keysBefore they drop full music on;He stuns you by degrees.Prepares your brittle substanceFor the ethereal blowby fainter hammers, further heard,Then nearer, then so slowYour breath has time to straightenYour brain to bubble cool,-Deals one imperial thunderboltThat scalps your naked soul.
The quoted passage from Emily Dickinson describes an experience of spiritual awakening or realization, akin to a musician gently playing an instrument before revealing a full, powerful symphony. It illustrates how someone may gradually expose their depth and influence, preparing one for a profound emotional impact. The imagery conveys a sense of vulnerability and delicate preparation before the ultimate revelation that stirs the soul.
The metaphor of music underscores the intensity and beauty of this encounter, as the speaker's being is meticulously conditioned for an "ethereal blow" that changes everything. This climax, depicted as a 'thunderbolt', signifies a transformative moment that deeply affects the innermost essence of the individual, showcasing how art and emotion can profoundly reshape perception and understanding.
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