Letter 238 (summer 1861 - Franklin: late 1859-about 1861) Susan Gilbert Dickinson Emily Dickinson

                                                         (A)

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers -
Untouched by Morning
And untouched by Noon -
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection -
Rafter of satin,
And Roof of stone.

Light laughs the breeze
In her Castle above them -
Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,
Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence -
Ah, what sagacity perished here!

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                                                         (B)

    Safe in their Alabaster Chambers -
    Untouched by Morning -
    And untouched by Noon -
    Lie the meek members of the Resurrection -
    Rafter of Satin - and Roof of Stone -

    Grand go the Years - in the Crescent - above them -
    Worlds scoop their Arcs -
    And Firmaments - row -
    Diadems - drop - and Doges - surrender -
    Soundless as dots - on a Disc of Snow -