Why Didn't I Stop to Take a Rest?

Today I have written a glosa (you can find more information about how to write a glosa here) as prompted by Day 3 of NaPoWriMo. My poem was inspired by Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death." 

Why Didn't I Stop to Take a Rest?

By Candace Shultz

 

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
- Emily Dickinson

I didn't want to stop and rest

I didn't even try

Because there was too much to do

I barely closed my eyes

I moved from task to task nonstop

Not caring for my health

From work to school to home again

Just living for my wealth

I did not pause to take a breath

Because I could not stop for Death –

One morning I could not get up

I couldn't rise from bed

A heavy stone lay on my chest

My heart filled up with dread

My body ached from head to toe

The pain I couldn't flee

And when I tried to raise my head

A shadow I did see

Not stopping for Death guaranteed

He kindly stopped for me –

He stepped closer to me in bed.

I closed my eyes in fear,

But then he spoke to me so kind, 

"You'll be okay, my dear."

I dared to look at him again,

Not feeling like myself

As my hand took his and he lifted

Me, walking past my bookshelf.

He carried me to the car himself.

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

Life didn't flash before my eyes,

Only my question why

Didn't I stop to take a rest.

Why didn't I even try?

Why did I care so much for wealth?

I was too blind to see.

I looked at Death right by my side

And he looked back at me.

In his eyes I saw sympathy

And Immortality.