I FOLLOW, tottering, in the funeral train That bears my body to the welcoming grave. As those I mourn not, that entomb the brave, But smile as those that lay aside the vain; To me it is a thing of poor disdain, A clod I would not give a sigh to save! I follow, careless, in the funeral train, My outworn raiment to the cleansing grave. I follow to the grave with growing pain— Then sudden cry: Let Earth take what she gave! And turn in gladness from the yawning cave— Glad even for those whose tears yet flow amain: They also follow, in their funeral train, Outworn necessities to the welcoming grave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LETTERS TO DEAD IMAGISTS by CARL SANDBURG TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT TOO SOON by ROBERT HERRICK WASHINGTON'S MONUMENT, FEBRUARY, 1885 by WALT WHITMAN TO THE NIGHTINGALE by PHILIP AYRES LADY OF MYSTERY by G. W. BLOEMENDAL ABIDE WITH US by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR |