Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHEN I AM DEAD, by MIRIAM DEL BANCO 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. | Other Poems of Interest...DOUBLE ELEGY by MICHAEL S. HARPER 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 |
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