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I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day…

“I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day was warm, and winds were prosy; I said: "'T will keep." I woke and chid my honest fingers,— The gem was gone; And now an amethyst remembrance Is all I own.” quote by Emily Dickinson
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“I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day was warm, and winds were prosy; I said: "'T will keep." I woke and chid my honest fingers,— The gem was gone; And now an amethyst remembrance Is all I own.”

Emily Dickinson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poet loses a treasured gem, symbolizing lost innocence or cherished moments, and is left with only a memory.

In simple terms: I lost something precious and only have a memory left.

Key Takeaway

Value and protect what you cherish.

Themes

loss memory preciousness

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal loss
  • creative writing
  • reflection on impermanence

Key Concepts

impermanence attachment

Questions to Reflect On

  • What do you hold most dear?
  • How do you cope with loss?
A Different Perspective

Memories cannot replace the lost object.

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