Emily Dickinson: The Bustle in a House the Morning After Death
Emily Dickinson: As by the dead we love to sit

Emily Dickinson: After great pain a formal feeling comes

After great pain a formal feeling comes—
the nerves sit ceremonious like tombs—Eliz_keith_korean_widow_1946
the stiff Heart questions—was it He that bore?
and yesterday—or centuries before?

The feet, mechanical, go round
a wooden way
of ground, or air, or Ought,
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.

         --Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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This poem has an error starting with line 7.
It should read:

"The Feet, mechanical, go round--
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought--
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone--

The rest is correct, but please make this change, as it makes all the difference with this poem.

Mary S

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