Letter 219 (about 1860 - Franklin: spring 1861) Samuel Bowles Emily Dickinson

I cant explain it, Mr Bowles -

        Two swimmers wrestled on the spar
        Until the morning sun -
        When One turned, smiling, to the land -
        Oh God! the other One!
        The stray ships - passing, spied a face
        Upon the waters borne,
        With eyes, in death, still begging - raised,
        And hands - beseeching - thrown!