thoughts on slowly developing a panic attack...

I have about 7 days left to write a 5-7 pages long paper on the influence of Emily Dickinson's life and experience on her poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" - and all I have so far is the title page.

I have no idea how to start this thing.
What I do have is an idea on how I want to have it structured.

Why did I chose this topic? Why was I not able to come up with an easier thesis statement?? Why did I decide to study English and American Literature again...?
Oh, right, I didn't. It's part of my teaching degree. Great.

Anyone out there with any good advice?