Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHEN I AM DEAD, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN I AM DEAD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I am dead and turned to dust
Last Line: Though I am dust.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


WHEN I am dead and turned to dust,
Let men say what they will, I care not aught;
Let them say I was careless, indolent,
Wasted the precious hours in dreaming thought,
Did not the good I might have done, but spent
My soul upon myself, -- sometimes let rise
Thick mists of earth betwixt me and the skies:
What must be must.

But not that I betrayed a trust;
Broke some girl's heart, and left her to her shame;
Sneered young souls out of faith; rose by deceit;
Lifted by credulous mobs to wealth and fame;
Waxed fat while good men waned, by lie and cheat;
Cringed to the strong; oppressed the poor and weak:
When men say this, may some find voice to speak,
Though I am dust.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net