|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPICEDIUM, by BERNICE SWANSON
First Line: Death stalks on velvet, catlike feet
Last Line: So greatly now—since we are dead.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The
First Line: Death stalks on velvet, catlike feet
Last Line: So greatly now—since we are dead.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The
Death stalks on velvet, catlike feet,
Invisible, his sable shroud
Wrapped tight, lest seeing, we entreat
For mercy. Well he knows our proud
Demeanor and our taunts of him
Are but a screen for abject fear,
A farce we play until his grim
Reality is close,—so near
We feel his breath, and groping, meet
His out-stretched hand. Ah, then we know
The cup of Life is very sweet,
Nor empty yet, though we must go—
Our thirst unslaked. We drop our mask
Of arrogance to beg, implore—
In stark humility we ask
A deeper drink from Life before
Death leads us out, and shuts the door.
But Death, immutable, holds fast
Our hands. He takes us firmly past
The threshold, dark and overcast
With shadows that we do not dread
So greatly now—since we are dead.
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