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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OH, WHEN I DIE, by WILLIAM LAIRD BROWN First Line: Poet names his burial-stead Last Line: I wonder, those bright other orchards are? Alternate Author Name(s): Laird, William Subject(s): Apple Trees; Death; Trees; Dead, The | |||
The poet names his burial-stead. That string is frayed by long-stilled hands. And few, I guess, have the bed Their half-forgotten verse demands. To worn string and futile plea Listen awhile: when I am dead After all, bury me Underneath an Apple Tree. Underneath an Apple Tree -- Let the grim roots work their will -- Grip, suck, strain, distil. The debtor's body for the debt, For all the happily heavy score Of many a revel, against me set Plain on the Orchard Tavern's door. What path of mine but knows my debt? How far apart my cores were thrown! Town, meadow, peak, shore, Road, trail, wayside stone, Hearth, desk, even bed (Shudder, Prissy) knew my needs, And not a core but showed the seeds. Milk and honey, wine and bread! Wherefore, in the Roman way Deal with him who cannot pay -- The debtor's body for the debt: After all, bury me (If that is all, and this is me) Underneath an Apple Tree. There is more, as I think: When I am done with meat and drink Such as beasts have, there shall be Other Apples waiting me No bodiless ghost can eat of them, So I shall haunt my burial-tree Until the first spring-noon is warm: My body's master-essences Shall climb through bole and branch and stem, Slip through soft blossom-throats, and form About me, at command. How far, I wonder, those bright Other Orchards are? | 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 |
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