The Lightning playeth — all the while —

The Lightning playeth — all the while —
But when He singeth — then —
Ourselves are conscious He exist —
And we approach Him — stern —

With Insulators — and a Glove —
Whose short — sepulchral Bass
Alarms us — tho’ His Yellow feet
May pass — and counterpass —

Upon the Ropes — above our Head —
Continual — with the News —
Nor We so much as check our speech —
Nor stop to cross Ourselves —

Emily Dickinson

Lightning Rod

The Lightning plays — all the while —
But when He sings — then —
We are conscious that He exist —
And we approach Him — seriously —

With Insulators — and a Glove —
Whose short — ominous noise
Alarms us — though His Yellow feet
He may pass — and pas by —

Upon the Ropes — above our Head —
Continual — with the signs —
Neither we frequently stop our speech —
Nor stop to cross our heart —

Emily Dickinson

Benjamin Franklin’s dangerous experiment and his successful invention of Lightning Rod.