There's a certain slant of light

• 'light' -> typically associated with optimism and faith but in this poem the light is oppressive.
• 'There's a certain Slant of light.' -> 'Slant' is capitalised. Important? -> several interpretations.
• 'Winter Afternoons-' -> it's 'winter' and 'afternoon'- times traditionally associated with death. -> pathetic fallacy. (weather describes emotion.)
• 'like the Heft.' -> simile- speaker feels oppressed by the 'weightiness'.
• 'Heavenly Hurt'- light is sometimes painful.
• 'but internal difference, where the meanings are.' -> Hurt is internal, unable to be seen -> speaker believes the psyche (soul) to be the most important part of the person.
• 'None may teach it - Any-' -> NO teacher can teach us what this hurt is. Dashes (-) -> make it seem disjointed.

  'tis the seal despair - an imperial affliction/ sent us of the Air -> links back to slanted light.
• 'shadows- hold their breath- the dashes around 'hold their breath' give the impression that someone or something holding its breath -> silence.
• 'on the look of Death-' when the light disappears, the day is nearly over and the observer is closer to death.