Because I could not stop for Death -- - A poem by Emily Dickinson

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 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 --

Added: on April 5th, 2008 at 3:39 AM | Viewed: 46782 times | Comments and analysis of Because I could not stop for Death -- by Emily Dickinson Comments (75)

Because I could not stop for Death -- - Comments and Information
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 712. Because I could not stop for Death -- Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Poem of the Day: Nov 10 2002 Comment 75 of 75, added on June 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 PM. i believe this poem is about her last minute on earth in a carrige to the underworld. natalie from United States Comment 74 of 75, added on April 18th, 2008 at 4:11 AM. A carriage or a bus or a train picks up passengers at designated stops. Death is a vehicle which picks you up wherever you are. You do not wait for it, because you do not want to take it. But then you have no option. Death will definitely stop for you. He does not have to hurry or be harsh. You are destined to be his passenger, however unwilling you may be. The speaker in the poem accepts her situation with the same kind of equanimity realizing that it is inevitable. Ram from India Comment 73 of 75, added on April 5th, 2008 at 3:39 AM. Emily Dickinson is really a great poet,though many of her poems are indeed obscure!I have to give a presentation two weeks later,and luckily,i found this website,thanks for all the comments here!U make me understand this great poet better.I think i will do it better!What kind of lady can write such fantastic poems!They are really amazing! Flora from China More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Because I could not stop for Death --, has received 75 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Emily Dickinson with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Emily Dickinson Poem: 712. Because I could not stop for Death -- Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson Year: Published/Written in 1955 Last read: Jul 25 2008, 11:20AM Poem of the Day: Nov 10 2002 Viewed 46782 times. Added on April 5th, 2008 at 3:39 AM.

Dickinson Info
Biography More Poems (1775 poems) Books