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 Tipper--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--

sing it to the tune of the Yellow Rose of Texas (EVERYONE must defile poetry in this way once in their lives!!!)

Aren't there any Emily fans around here? How unfortunate! My copy of her complete poems is full of little page markers and written-in notes. What if I say I shall not wait! What if I burst the fleshly Gate-- And pass escaped--to thee! What if I file this Mortal--off-- See where it hurt me--That's enough-- And wade in Liberty! They cannot take me--any more! Dungeons can call--and Guns implore Unmeaning--now--to me-- As laughter--was--an hour ago-- Or Laces--or a Travelling Show-- Or who died--yesterday!

Amy, I love her, as does John. John is also on Hiatus (all the men I converse with have gone there lately!)...and I cannot bear to read poetry right now...(is that why you never go into Geo even to admire the jewelry or the photos of lava?!)

Is what the reason I never go into Geo? You should relish in a little "melancolie douce"--that's what I'm doing! You said that I was "Great"--one Day-- Then "Great" it be--if that please Thee-- Or Small--or any size at all-- Nay--I'm the size suit Thee-- Tall--like the Stag--would that? Or lower--like the Wren-- Or other heights of Other Ones I've seen? Tell which--it's dull to guess-- And I must be Rhinoceros Or Mouse At once--for Thee-- So say--if Queen it be-- Or Page--please Thee-- I'm that--or nought-- Or other thing--if other thing there be-- With just this Stipulus-- I suit Thee-- (My therapist would have a thing or two to say about this one!)

Time does go on-- I tell it gay to those who suffer now-- They shall survive-- There is a sun-- They don't believe it now--

Themself are all I have-- Myself a freckled--be-- I thought you'd choose a Velvet Cheek Or one of Ivory-- Would you--instead of Me?

Too scanty 'twas to die for you, The merest Greek could that. The living, Sweet, is costlier-- I offer even that-- The Dying, is a trifle, past, But living, this include The dying multifold--without The Respite to be dead.

Whose lovely bit of melancholia is that? Very nice, indeed. (I have no idea what I meant!)

Um, this is the Emily Dickinson topic...I took that to mean that all of the poems should be by her...(if that is in fact what you meant by "whose lovely bit of melancholia is that? I'm kind of brain-dead tonight and things aren't making sense like they should.)

Oh yeah! Silly me... I told you I was asleep at the switch. I am sure to get flat-lined by an errant Volleyball this evening...it has just been one of those days!!! (I guess you could put poems about Emily Dickenson in here, also...)

i like emily but don't have books around to quote from. please keep posting them!

Heart! We will forget him! You and I--tonight! You may forget the warmth he gave-- I will forget the light! When you have done, pray tell me That I may straight begin! Haste! lest while you're lagging I remember him!

The only ghost I ever saw Was dressed in Mechlin--so-- He wore no sandal upon his foot-- And stepped like flakes of snow-- His Gait--was soundless, like the Bird-- But rapid--like the Roe-- His fashions, quaint, Mosaic-- Or haply, Mistletoe-- His conversation--seldom-- His laughter, like the Breeze-- That dies away in Dimples Among the pensive Trees-- Our interview--was transient-- Of me, himself was shy-- And God forbid I look behind-- Since that appalling Day!

That first Day, when you praised Me, Sweet, And said that I was strong-- And could be mighty, if I liked-- That Day--the Days among-- Glows Central--like a Jewel Between Diverging Golds-- The Minor One--that gleamed behind-- And Vaster--of the World's.

These--saw Visions-- Latch them softly-- These--held Dimples-- Smooth them slow-- This--addressed departing accents-- Quick--Sweet Mouth--to miss thee so-- This--We stroked-- Unnumbered Satin-- These--we held among our own-- Fingers of the Slim Aurora-- Not so arrogant--this Noon-- These--adjust--that ran to meet us-- Pearl--for Stocking--Pearl for Shoe-- Paradise--the only Palace-- Fit for Her reception--now--

(This one has a particularly special meaning for me.) Each Scar I'll keep for Him Instead I'll say of Gem In His long Absence worn A Costlier one But every Tear I bore Were He to count them o'er His own would fall so more I'll mis sum them.