Ash-Wednesday

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 –

• TS Eliot