Poetry Analysis # 2: Thoughts Relating to Love

Here is a Love poem by the elusive Emily Dickinson, titled "22."

I gave myself to him,
And took himself for pay.
The solemn contract of a life
Was ratified this way
The value might disappoint,
Myself a poorer prove
Than this my purchaser suspect,
The daily own of Love
Depreciates the sight;
But, 'til the merchant buy,
Still fabled, in the isles of spice
The subtle cargoes lie.
At least, 'tis mutual risk,—
Some found it mutual gain;
Sweet debt of Life,
—each night to owe,
Insolvent, every noon.

Courtesy of: http://www.poetry.com/lovepoems/lovepoem.asp?id=67

I believe the theme in this poem at least, is that the author [Emily] is very devoted when it comes to love. Giving her entire self to him. And she's asking herself if she's good enough for this man, whoever he is, which she desires and love. She's asking why you want her when she's such an incredibly 'poor prove.' This peice also discusses how it's so easy to be lost in love, and to be submerged in it. Wallowing and infatuated with love itself, and your lover as well, by saying it 'depreciates your sight.' Few other things matter, but it's an idiotic bliss. An escape.

The author uses a metaphor in this peice and converys their theme of love being so easy to get lost in, by saying...
"The daily own of Love
Depreciates the sight;
But, 'til the merchant buy,
Still fabled, in the isles of spice
The subtle cargoes lie."
Like a person exploring the great lands of the new world like Christopher Columbus once did, love is vast and wide; It covers everything, and happens everywhere. Once you're done being lost and realize what you got out of the love, the great people you meet or the great things you do, it's a subtle but fantastic reward.