Emily Dickinson

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

We passed the School, where Childern 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