I had no time to Hate –

I had no time to Hate –

Because

The Grave would hinder me –

And Life was not so

Ample I

Could finish – Enmity –

Nor had I time to Love –

But since

Some Industry must be –

The little Toil of Love –

I thought

Be large enough for Me –

F(763)

As a highly reflective person, Dickinson spent hours on hours contemplating life and circumference – the extents of the human experience. Dedicating so much of herself to the exploration of the mysteries of life inevitably left her with a greater understanding on what matters, and in this poem, it is clear that the only thing that does is love.

           The theme of this poem follows along the concept that life is too short to waste time dwelling on negative emotions. The speaker explains that if they were to hate, the grave would “hinder” them; the use of “hinder” over its more direct equals, “stop” and “halt,” implies that death will not bring an abrupt or forced end to hateful emotions, but it will lead to a period of reflection. The typical goal of a hindrance is to cause a person to pause and reconsider their course of action, and in this poem, death or the “grave” does exactly that.

In instances of anger, the best ways to avoid sacrificing energy and valuable time, is to refocus on the priorities of life. The final three lines of the first stanza reinforce the notion that life does not permit extra days to carry out frivolous rivalries. Whether a person is allocating their time wisely is of no consequence to life and the grave which will carry out their duties regardless of one’s choices.

The entirety of the first stanza asserts that there isn’t enough time for things that offer no enhancement to life; this idea is supported in the second stanza in which the speaker – despite a lack of time – permits themselves the liberty to love. Although there is no time for it, they understand that love is an essential part of the human experience, not to be forfeited under any circumstances. It is often said that people will make time for the things that are important to them, and this poem solidifies that argument. It is easy to get swept away by our emotions as we are emotional creatures by nature, but discipline is necessary to navigate through life and all the curve-balls it will throw our way. The speaker of the poem understands that if we allow ourselves to be controlled by every negative emotion we experience, we will spend our lives as bitter, cynical, pessimistic individuals.

Much like the speaker of this poem who is selective in the way they utilize their time, Dickinson devoted the bulk of her time to poetry. Never documented to have gotten married or engaged in romantic relationships, the only space in her life Dickinson made for love was through close friendships and family. There were a few chosen people she allowed in her personal bubble –many of which she corresponded with by way of handwritten letters. In doing so, she combined the two things most important to her into one activity, and this “little toil of love” was “large enough” for her. However, with these closing lines, Dickinson created an interesting paradox.

The speaker begins the second stanza by declaring that they do not have time for love which implies that – much like the argument of the preceding stanza – love is too consuming to indulge in. Despite this belief, the speaker goes on to make an exception and describes love in contradictory terms: little and large. And this begs the question of how the descriptions can simultaneously be true, but with a sensation as complex and unexplainable as love, contradicting characteristics are not out of the realm of possibility. Dickinson often explored the dualities of life through her poetry, and with this poem she encapsulated two extremes of love.

Love is “little” in that when healthy and reciprocated, it doesn’t feel like a task but a privilege for those involved. Unlike hate, love is not a hindrance or something that will serve as a wasteful expenditure of time; it will enhance that which already is. In turn, it is this enhancing quality that can make the “The little Toil of Love” become “large.” I believe it is Dickinson’s intention to demonstrate that once someone experiences great love from one or a few individuals, they realize its ever-growing nature. From a solitary drop, and ocean shall be formed.