I Heard a Fly Buzz

By Emily Dickinson

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.

Emily Dickinson