I Died for Beauty, But Was Scarce

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I Died for Beauty, But Was Scarce is Emily Dickinson's haunting dialogue between two souls in adjoining tombs — one who died for Beauty, the other for Truth — who recognize themselves as kindred spirits. "And so, as Kinsmen, met a Night — / We talked between the Rooms —"
Author Emily Dickinson
Credit for portrait of Emily Dickinson: Todd-Bingham picture collection, 1837-1966 (inclusive). Manuscripts & Archives, Yale University.
I died for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed?
"For beauty," I replied.
"And I for truth, — the two are one;
We brethren are," he said.

And so, as kinsmen met a night,
We talked between the rooms,
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names.
I Died for Beauty, But Was Scarce was featured as The Short Story of the Day on Sat, May 15, 2021