What is similar about the subjects of "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" and "Because I Could Not Stop for Death"?
Both poems personalize a broad concept, such as spirituality or mortality.
Both poems address mortality, specifically that of human beings.
Both poems concern religion on a basic and fundamental level.
Both poems advocate being fearful of one’s mortality.
Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church
by Emily Dickinson
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolinki for a Choristerii –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
Some keep the Sabbath in Surpliceiii –
I just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
by Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses’ Heads
Were toward eternity –