Because I Could Not Stop, by Emily Dickinson

Lent, Day 25

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 -

The author of this Lent book interprets this poem as quite sinister - I don't agree - seems gentle and hopeful to me; after all, the carriage holds Immortality as well as Death.

My sister, who is also blipping these poems, arrived from the States today, so we went looking for a photo together - rather late in the day because had been at my Mum's twin sister's diamond wedding anniversary - standing in for my Mum, who had been their bridesmaid.

Found these at Holy Trinity - the flowering trees above were stunning. The carriage and horses have just driven off on the curving path...