Response to Emily Dickinson

Because I could not Stop for Death

Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death - He kindly stopped for me - The Carriage held but just Ourselves - And Immortality.

We slowly drove - He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility -

We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess - in the Ring - We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain - We passed the Setting Sun -

Or rather - He passed Us - The Dews drew quivering and chill - For only Gossamer, my Gown - My Tippet - only Tulle -

We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground - The Roof was scarcely visible - The Cornice - in the Ground -

Since then - 'tis Centuries - and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity -

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