Let life and its bewildering music stop At brassy noon, since morning's jocund strings Which tricked the toe and heel of youth now drop The dance, and horn to horn in challenge rings -- Even though the later shadowy hours may breathe Into the tranquil hollow of a flute, And evening gather up the notes and wreathe A lonely neutral chord which night will mute. Death is a final consonance and pause Maybe, but if the music must go on, Let bow and breath forget the former cause Of every sound, for after love has gone There is a need of silence vast and gateless, Or unremembering songs, airs that are weightless. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOUNTAIN WHIPPOORWILL (A GEORGIA ROMANCE) by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET FROM THE AGES WITH A SMILE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE DARK HOUSE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON MY MOTHER LEFT ME by KAREN SWENSON OFFICE PARTY: DISTAFF VIEW by KAREN SWENSON |