Holly Pryor
372
After great pain, a formal feeling comes-
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs-
The stiff Heart questions ‘was it He, that bore,’
And ‘Yesterday, or Centuries before’?

The Feet, mechanical, go round-
A wooden way
Of ground, or Air, or Ought-
Regardless grown,
A quartz contentment, like a stone-

This is the Hour of Lead-
Remembered, if outlived,
As freezing persons, recollect the Snow-
First – Chill- then Stupor- then the letting go

I believe Emily Dickenson is talking about the toll that a severe pain, possibly death, and how it makes you feel stiff, restless, and cold. Starting with the nerves you may feel “The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs,” explaining how nervous and anxious feelings can arise from pain. She says “The stiff Heart questions,” which can be relatable to how deep, sincere pain can make your heart feel stiff, and sad, and all the many questions you may ask yourself after losing someone close to you. She says “This is the Hour of Lead – Remembered, if outlived, As a freezing persons, recollect the Snow-“ touching base with the fact that no matter what, you will always remember this feeling of pain, like a person stuck in the snow will always remember the snow. Next she says “First – chill- then Stupor- then the letting go” , describing, basically, the whole process of losing someone you love. First you feel cold, stiff hearted, hurt, and next you go into a slump of stupor or sadness, and then there comes the part where you have to let go of that person and come to peace with your situation.