Emily Dickinson, The Belle of Amherst

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

What an interesting poem. There is something odd about this poem that many people miss. Consider the tone that we see in poems that have such a strong theme of death. The tone we usually see is very grim and sad but in this poem we get more of a scene of death being an old friend riding with us always ready to take us at the right time. Lets also consider how the reader interprets the poem. When I read the poem is seems like it started slow and ended with me reading really fast, then it slows down again. Some has said that this is symbolic of real life and how it starts slow and ends so fast. If we look at this poem from an analytical standpoint it would seem difficult to read but all of these different elements and literary devises that she has incorporated make it so comprehendible. This is truly what makes her such a great author in our history.

Link to poem: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177119