Death sets a Thing significant
The Eye had hurried by
Except a perished Creature
Entreat us tenderly
To ponder little Workmanships
In crayon, or in wool,
With "this was last Her fingers did" -
Industrious until -
The thimble weighted too heavy -
The stitches stopped - themselves -
And then t'was put among the Dust
Upon the Closet shelves -
A Book I have - a friend gave -
Whose Pencil - here and there -
Had notched the place that pleased Him
At rest - His fingers are -
Now - when I read - I read not -
For interrupting Tears -
Obliterate the Etchings
Too Costly for Repairs.
-- Emily Dickinson (#360)