Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DYING by EMILY DICKINSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: I HEARD A FLY BUZZ WHEN I DIED
Last Line: I COULD NOT SEE TO SEE.
Subject(s): DEATH; FLIES; LABOR & LABORERS; MOURNING; PAIN; DEAD, THE; WORK; WORKERS; BEREAVEMENT; SUFFERING; MISERY;

I heard a Fly buzz - when I died--
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the stillness in the Air--
Between the Heaves of Storm--
The Eyes around - had wrung them dry--
And breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset - when the King
Be witnessed - in the Room --
I willed my Keepsakes - Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable - and then it was
there interposed a Fly--
With blue - uncertain stumbling Buzz--
Between the light - and me--
And then the Windows failed - and then
I could not see to see.



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