> They dropped like flakes -- Across the June --
This line uses an oxymoron – a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms – to create a jarring image and emphasize the unexpected nature of the event.
Here's how to break it down:
* "Flakes" typically refers to snowflakes, which are associated with winter and cold weather.
* "June" is the middle of summer, a time of warmth and sunshine.
By juxtaposing these two ideas, Dickinson creates a sense of dissonance and surprise. It suggests something unusual is happening, something that doesn't fit with the expected seasonality.
The poem doesn't explicitly state what is dropping like flakes. Some interpretations suggest it could be:
* Flowers – The poem's overall theme of death and mortality could link to the withering and falling of flowers, even in the midst of summer.
* Leaves – An unexpected early autumnal event in June could be seen as foreshadowing or a harbinger of change.
* Something intangible – The "flakes" could represent abstract things like memories, hopes, or dreams that are being lost or fading away.
Ultimately, the beauty of Dickinson's poetry lies in its ambiguity and the space it allows for personal interpretation. The specific meaning of "Across the June" is left open for the reader to ponder and discover their own understanding.