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Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
1830-1886

"After great pain
a formal feeling comes"

 

After great pain a formal feeling comes;
The nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go Round –
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a Stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –
First, Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go.

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