In falling timbers buried [German translation]

In falling timbers buried -

There breathed a Man.

Outside - the spades - were plying,

The lungs - within.

Could He - know - they sought Him,

Could they - know - He breathed -

Horrid Sand Partition -

Neither - could be heard.

Never slacked the Diggers -

But when spades had done -

Oh, Reward of Anguish,

It was dying - Then.

Many Things - are fruitless -

'Tis a Baffling Earth -

But there is no Gratitude

Like the Grace - of Death.

• Artist:Emily Dickinson