I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

by Emily Dickinson · 1861 · Life & Death · Lyric
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,
And Mourners to and fro
Kept treading – treading – till it seemed
That Sense was breaking through –
And when they all were seated,
A Service, like a Drum –
Kept beating – beating – till I thought
My mind was going numb –
And then – I heard them lift a Box
And creak across my Soul
With those same Boots of Lead, again,
Then Space – began to toll.

About Emily Dickinson

American poet known for her unconventional use of form and syntax. Most of her work was published posthumously.

More poems by Emily Dickinson

View all Emily Dickinson poems →

More Life & Death poems

View all Life & Death poems →