POETRY, by its very nature, offers a reflection on different hues of larger life. And when it comes from Emily Dickinson, the metaphor becomes very deep, far more meaningful than the words used.

A recluse as she was often described in her time, Emily Dickinson wrote more than a thousand poems. Interestingly, none of those poems had a title. So, the poem’s first line was considered to be the title. She also never authorised any publication of her poems -- and thus remained away from public glare.

This aside apart, whatever and whenever Emily Dickinson wrote, she reflected on life’s nuances in a unique manner -- so much so that possibly regular pursuers of her poetry can identify her writing even when there is no name inscribed underneath. This particular poem has its own captivating merit. It talks of how acculturation takes place, and how human mind becomes ready for refinement.

He ate and drank the precious words ..., the poet says. In other words, he consumed and digested those words in all their nuances, in all their length and breadth and width and depth and height. That is what the persona of words is, that is how the words have their eco-system. So, He ate and drank the precious words and His spirit grew robust ...!

What a deep understanding of how words influence human mind or human spirit. And once the enrichment of the mind and spirit starts, the individual grows rich in substance -- which is so beautifully captured by Emily Dickinson:

He knew no more that he was poor Nor that his frame was dust.

This is often the outcome of the process of refinement of human spirit. For, the person acquires an altogether different assessment of self, a more comprehensive sense of self-worth, and therefore a more refined self-image. Such a person can never be poor, or can never have a frame that is as negligible as dust. And the beauty of such a personality is that he or she knows all that.

This is the outcome of the enriched spirit. This is also the outcome of a finely educated mind that has eaten and drank precious words -- during the process of acculturation (acquiring culture). Only an Emily Dickinson can capture such a process in such simple words.