Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHEN I AM DEAD, by MIRIAM DEL BANCO


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN I AM DEAD, by                    
First Line: When once I die, I wish no one
Last Line: Pure, spotless whiteness desecrate.
Subject(s): Death; Friendship; Love; Wishes; Dead, The


When once I die, I wish no one
To shed a tear above my sod,
Who starved my heart while I was here,
And rudely on my sufferings trod;
I wish no one to drop a flower,
To smooth one fold of my pale dress,
Or speak one tender word, who once
My poor heart bathed in bitterness.

I wish no one to moan or sigh,
That I have left this world of need,
Who, e'er my spirit went to God,
Would scarcely my existence heed;
Nor do I wish that those who thought
I was too low for their proud hands,
Should call me equal when my soul,
Above their's, dwells with Angel bands.

When flowerets breathe their fragrant breath
Among the grasses o'er my head,
I wish not that my faults shall be
Forgotten, now that I am dead;
I will not care that those who felt
Nought but resentment, nought but scorn,
Should feign to cover all their hate,
And o'er my still heart seem to mourn.

But all the true, fond, loving friends,
Who loved me and whom I did love,
My spirit e'en will recognize,
Though it had flown to Him above;
Then do not let the fawning crowd,
Whose words and smiles on Fortune wait,
My grave's peace and my winding sheet's
Pure, spotless whiteness desecrate.





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