Safe in their Alabaster Chambers
by Emily Dickinson
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers is one of Emily Dickinson's earliest masterworks, a meditation on the dead sleeping peacefully in their tombs while empires rise and fall above them, "Soundless as dots — on a Disk of Snow." "Grand go the Years — in the Crescent — above them —"
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers — Untouched by Morning — And untouched by Noon — Lie the meek members of the Resurrection — Rafter of Satin — and Roof of Stone! Grand go the Years — in the Crescent — above them — Worlds scoop their Arcs — And Firmaments — row — Diadems — drop — and Doges — surrender — Soundless as dots — on a Disk of Snow —