Crumbling is not an instant's Act
A fundamental pause
Dilapidation's processes
Are organized Decays

Tis first a Cobweb on the Soul
A Cuticle of Dust
A Borer in the Axis
An Elemental Rust

Ruin is formal -- Devil's work
Consecutive and slow
Fail in an instant, no man did
Slipping -- is Crash's law


Emily Dickinson