Because i could not stop for death – he kindly stopped for me – the carriage held but just ourselves – and immortality. we slowly drove – he knew no haste and i had put away my labor and my leisure too, for his civility – we passed the school, where children strove at recess – in the ring – we passed the fields of gazing grain – we passed the setting sun – or rather – he passed us – the dews drew quivering and chill – for only gossamer, my gown – my tippet – only tulle – we paused before a house that seemed a swelling of the ground – the roof was scarcely visible – the cornice – in the ground – since then – 'tis centuries – and yet feels shorter than the day i first surmised the horses' heads were toward eternity – what is the central topic of the poem? nature death self