A Poem by Emily Dickenson: 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

by Emily Dickenson (1830-1886)

Recommended sermon: How to Benefit from a Funeral, by Dr. David P. Murray