Funeral Brain

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain
Emily Dickinson

Senses play a key role in this poem. The author feels, hears, and sees all of the things centered around this fictional funeral. The imagery produced by the sensual language is unique in catching the reader's attention. Specifically, the mourners are an influential source of imagery. Their walking affects the poet so much, that she can feel it in her mind. Moreover "those same Boots of Lead" (Dickinson 776) stomp over her mind again, causing her whole world to change. The imagery makes the poem out to be about some life-altering news, rather than an actual death. She always sees the danger lurking into the future, rather than the present. It's almost as though she knows her funeral is coming, and she can feel it coming closer with every footstep. Her thoughts could have been detrimental to her health, because she adds more anxiety with every line of the poem. This metaphorical funeral could materialize into a literal funeral if she keeps this mentality going.