Myself was formed- a Carpenter

Myself was formed -- a Carpenter --

An unpretending time

My Plane -- and I, together wrought

Before a Builder came --

To measure our attainments --

Had we the Art of Boards

Sufficiently developed -- He'd hire us

At Halves --

My Tools took Human -- Faces --

The Bench, where we had toiled --

Against the Man -- persuaded --

We -- Temples build -- I said --

Thanks, American Poems, for this source poem!

At first, this poem seems incomplete and whacky. The unpretending time was childhood or the time in her spiritual growth in which she didn't understand. "My Plane and I" refers to her physical self and her spiritual self being together in one body, even before a Builder (Jesus) came to see if they (she) was mature enough to handle the works of being a Christian.

Dickinson is referring to 1 Corinthians 6:19 that says "Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own." Meaning Christians, once baptized, belong to Christ, including our bodies. Paul was telling the Christians to flee from sin and fornication, since it rightfully belongs to Christ. In essence, Dickinson is having a discussion with the Lord in which she's telling Him she is helping to further the kingdom of Christ. She may even be describing Judgement Day.

I love this poem. It's a beautiful way to say that you're working for God and Jesus. Again, this an indirect way, but incredibly creative expression of devotion. Way to go, Emily! :)