What happens when you die? A poetic inquiry

Take a ride in Emily Dickinson's chariot.

Translator: Nathaniel Luis Reyhan Soesilo Reviewer: Elda Indria Sari

Berkendaralah di dalam kereta tempur Emily Dickinson.

But beware... there's no turning back.

Namun, hati-hati... tak ada kata kembali.

"Because I could not stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson

"Karena Aku Tak Bisa berhenti untuk Kematian," oleh Emily Dickinson.

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me –

Karena aku tak bisa berhenti untuk Kematian - Ia berhenti untukku -

The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.

Di dalam bendi hanya ada kami - Dan keabadian.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away

Kami berkendara pelan - Ia tak kenal rasa gegas

Dan telah kusingkirkan

My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility –

tugasku juga senggangku, demi menghormatinya -

We passed the School, where Children strove

Kami lewati sekolah,

tempat anak-anak berjuang kala istirahat -

At Recess – in the Ring – We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –

dalam lingkaran -

Kami lewati ladang gandum -

We passed the Setting Sun –

Kami lewati matahari terbenam -

Or rather – He passed Us – The Dews drew quivering and Chill –

Atau mungkin - Ia lewati kami -

Embun buatku gemetar kedinginan -

For only Gossamer, my Gown – My Tippet – only Tulle –

Karena tipis gaunku - Dan ringan selendangku -

We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground –

Kami berhenti di depan rumah

yang tampak bagai terbenam -

The Roof was scarcely visible – The Cornice – in the Ground –

Atapnya hampir tak nyata -

langit-langitnya di tanah -

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet Feels shorter than the Day

Sejak itu - masa telah berlalu -

Namun terasa tak lebih sehari

I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity –

saat kusadari kuda-kuda Kematian menuju kekekalan -