I Made the Time to Stop for Death

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I made the time to stop for Death,
So punctual is he,
His carriage came in from the west,
The sunset at his feet.
I couldn't smell the trail dust wafts,
I couldn't feel the heat,
I couldn't reach for Death's pale hand,
He shook his head at me.
He asked me for directions, then,
To a town called Amity,
I raised my finger t'ward the east,
And ransomed him a fee.
I stood there in the highway din,
His impromptu appointee,
I told him in a voice dark grave,
To spare them and reap me.
He took me for a hero there,
A mile from Amity,
He shook his head again and said,
You may not come with me.
Your time is not yet up, old sport,
Your life must yet proceed,
I thank you, kin, for stopping and
Making time for me.
And that was how I stopped for Death,
An April evening free,
He rode right in and stopped to check,
The way to Amity.

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