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)