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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 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 Field 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 --                                    [*shawl]

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 --

[c1863]