TY - JOUR T1 - I heard a fly buzz when I died JF - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO - BMJ Support Palliat Care SP - 214 LP - 214 DO - 10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000909 VL - 5 IS - 2 AU - John Birtwhistle Y1 - 2015/06/01 UR - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/5/2/214.abstract N2 - By Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) With comment by John Birtwhistle I heard a fly buzz when I died; The stillness round my form Was like the stillness in the air Between the heaves of storm. The eyes beside had wrung them dry, And breaths were gathering sure For that last onset, when the king Be witnessed in his power. I willed my keepsakes, signed away What portion of me I Could make assignable, and then There interposed a fly, With blue, … ER -