Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FELO-DE-SE, by JAMES ELROY FLECKER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FELO-DE-SE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The song of a man who was dead
Last Line: And sing a celestial tune.
Subject(s): Suicide


The song of a man who was dead
Ere any had heard of his song,
Or had seen this his ultimate song,
With the lines of it written in red,
And the sound of it steady and strong.
When you hear it, you know I am dead.

Not because I was weary of life
As pallid poets are:
My star was a conquering star,
My element strife.
I am young, I am strong, I am brave,
It is therefore I go to the grave.

Now to life and to life's desire,
And to youth and the glory of youth,
Farewell, for I go to acquire,
By the one road left me, Truth.
Though a great God slay me with fire
I will shout till he answer me. Why?
(One soul and a Universe, why?)
And for this it is pleasant to die.

For years and years I have slumbered,
And slumber was heavy and sweet,
But the last few moments are numbered,
Like trampling feet that beat.
I shall walk with the stars in their courses,
And hear very soon, very soon,
The voice of the forge of the Forces,
And ride on the ridge of the moon,
And sing a celestial tune.





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