Death is indeed safe from the perspective that nothing in life can hurt or destroy. The dead are "untouched" (2) by everything and nothing. The "meek members of the resurrection" (3) are sleeping, safe and sound, waiting for what awaits them on the other side. The most significant aspect of this stanza is the insinuation that the dead are still waiting for their resurrection, which may, in fact, never occur. This attitude is not unusual for Dickinson, as she explored death and God many times in her poetry, as if she were attempting to make sense of life, death, and religion. The last stanza of the poem demonstrates an even closer inspection of death as the speaker looks at the "grand" (10) years of life, as they pass "Soundless as dots on a disk of snow" (14). The poet realized one of the most important, sobering facts of life there is, which is the fact that regardless of who we are and what we do, life goes on after we die. This last line is similar to many of the poet's last lines, in that death renders all of us the same. The prince is no better than the pauper in the alabaster chamber; they are both waiting for the same thing, which in this poem, feels like nothing. This may be one of her most dark poems because it holds no hope in the afterlife; however, it does reinforce the importance of making the most of every day. The fact that we cannot know what awaits us on the other side of life is enough motivation to enjoy ever moment we have. The poet reconciles her trouble with religion by having faith in herself. In "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" the poet admits she keeps the Sabbath "With a Bobolink for a Chorister --...

She is comfortable in her home and a bird outside the window serves as a choir and the orchard is her church dome. While some may see this act as a rejection of God, it looks to many others as the poet's grand ability to find God everywhere around her. The poet recognizes she has wings (329) but she is not desperate for a sermon. This poem finds significance today because of our information overloaded society. "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church" touches on the poet's thoughts of an afterlife, where she questions it and focuses on "going" to heaven as a present tense activity as opposed to hoping for something good to happen after she dies. She is fully intent on enjoying her journey.
Dickinson realized something special about life that many never do. A hermit existence might lead many to think she was unhappy and a single existence might make some think she was lonely but the woman understood the key to happiness and it had nothing to do with money, fame, or anyone else. She realized the importance of enjoying what she had and through her passion, writing, she had it all. She might not have figured out all of life's mysteries but she came to terms with them. She understood more than most people do and we can know with certainty that her knowledge and unique way of thinking had absolutely nothing to do with money or status.

Works Cited

Dickinson, Emily. "Heaven is What I Cannot Reach."

-. "Safe In Their Alabaster Chambers,"

-. "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church."

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