Sunday, November 23, 2008

What the Day May Bring...


I read this poem aloud this morning though I barely needed to look at the printed page...I've loved poetry since the day my third grade teacher, Mrs. Gray, introduced me to Carl Sandburg. As I reflect on the sudden, but not completely unexpected, death of a relative today I ponder this poem yet again.

Because I could not stop for Death (712)

by
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 –

1 comment:

Nana Sadie said...

Oh, Sandra, I'm sorry for your loss. Even somewhat expected, it's never easy...
(((hugs)))