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The Bustle in a House
The Morning after Death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted upon Earth--
The Sweeping up the Heart
And putting Love away
We shall not want to use again
Until Eternity
1866 |
The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying--this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things--
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized--as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite--
We waited while She passed--
It was a narrow time--
Too jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot--
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce--
Consented, and was dead--
And We--We placed the Hair--
And drew the Head erect--
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate--
1866 |
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant--
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind--
1868 |
