A still—Volcano—Life—
That flickered in the night—
When it was dark enough to do
Without erasing sight—
The first line of the poem initiates the juxtaposition of opposites —   oxymoron  — that is used at the beginning of each stanza. Here, we have “still” and “Volcano,” with volcano possibly functioning in noun form (to represent Dickinson’s inner self), and also as an adjective (to describe “Life”). The word “Volcano,” of course, triggers ideas and images of eruption, power, and energy, where “still,” at first sight, does not. However, as seen throughout the rest of the poem, “still” or quietness comes to represent a specific type of power (hidden within the self). The idea of a volcano being still may also suggest that the volcano has been inactive or silent for quiet some time, but always ready to erupt. 
 “Life” (as a single idea) is made more concrete through its comparison to a volcano and seems to refer directly to Dickinson’s own life/self. 

A still—Volcano—Life 601