It was during a harsh winter that the speaker died. The town came to a standstill as everything was frozen solid and most deliveries did not arrive. With no fire for warmth, life had slowed to a bare minimum of survival. While her death was not unusual given the circumstances, it was terrible to be so cold before dying and knowing eternity would be without movement, paralyzed in iron. For those at her grave as the sun came out, it was terrible to know that life would return for them but she had not known that, with their hearts still stirring while it was too late for her.
It was during a harsh winter that the speaker died. The town came to a standstill as everything was frozen solid and most deliveries did not arrive. With no fire for warmth, life had slowed to a bare minimum of survival. While her death was not unusual given the circumstances, it was terrible to be so cold before dying and knowing eternity would be without movement, paralyzed in iron. For those at her grave as the sun came out, it was terrible to know that life would return for them but she had not known that, with their hearts still stirring while it was too late for her.
It was during a harsh winter that the speaker died. The town came to a standstill as everything was frozen solid and most deliveries did not arrive. With no fire for warmth, life had slowed to a bare minimum of survival. While her death was not unusual given the circumstances, it was terrible to be so cold before dying and knowing eternity would be without movement, paralyzed in iron. For those at her grave as the sun came out, it was terrible to know that life would return for them but she had not known that, with their hearts still stirring while it was too late for her.
It was in the great frost of that year that she died.
Day after day all water was solid, the town Came to a tottering standstill. Everything late Arrived frozen and black. Most things Did not arrive. No fire warmed. Long before, nearly all life had fallen Into a dead slow beat, shuffling survival, So that her sinking was not so out of place. Only, terrible to be so cold Before the eyes close, and know eternity Will be without movement, paralysed in iron; And to see on living faces that they too are stone. For those standing near her grave as the sun came out Touching the earth, timidly trying to blunt The first slow icicle, terrible for them To know that life would return but she had not known that, And have their own hearts stirring, now too late. Jenny Joseph 74