Because I could not stop for Death

Back in Edinburgh today, and did manage a quick swim after work ...

... 15th May (today) is the anniversary of Emily Dickinson's death (in 1886) - I still find it a total mystery that only 7 of her some 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime?

Here's one of her more famous poems (taken from the pictured volume):


Because I could not stop for Death

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 –

---

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)