Death sets a Thing significant
The Eye had hurried by
Except a perished Creature
Entreat us tenderly

To ponder little Workmanships
In Crayon, or in Wool,
With "This was last Her fingers did"—
Industrious until—

The Thimble weighed too heavy—
The stitches stopped — by themselves—
And then 'twas put among the Dust
Upon the Closet shelves—

A Book I have — a friend gave—
Whose Pencil — here and there—
Had notched the place that pleased Him—
At Rest — His fingers are—

Now — when I read — I read not—
For interrupting Tears—
Obliterate the Etchings
Too Costly for Repairs.