Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DEATH, by EDITH BLAND NESBIT Poet's Biography First Line: Never again: / no child shall stir the inmost heart of her Last Line: Not see that cold clay hole. Alternate Author Name(s): Nesbit, E.; Bland, Mrs. Hubert Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
NEVER again: No child shall stir the inmost heart of her And teach her heaven by that first faint stir; No little lips shall lie against her breast Save the cold lips that now lie there at rest; No little voice shall rouse her from her sleep And bid her wake to pain: Her sleep is calm and deep, Call not! refrain. Close in her arm As though even death drew back before the face Of Motherhood in this white stilly place, The gathered bud lies waxen white and cold, As ever a flower your winter gardens hold. She bore the pain, she never wore the crown, She worked the bitter charm, But all she won thereby is here laid down Renounced -- for good or harm. Dream? Feed your soul With dreams, while we must starve our hearts on clay, Dream of a glorious white-winged sun-crowned day When you shall see her once more face to face Beside Christ's Mother in the blessed place! But while you dream, they carry her from here, The black bells toll and toll. Oh God! if only she cannot see or hear, Not hear those ghoul-like bells that crowd so near, Not see that cold clay hole. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BALLAD OF CANTERBURY by EDITH BLAND NESBIT |
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