Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SOLILOQUY: 1 by RICHARD ALDINGTON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: NO, I'M NOT AFRAID OF DEATH
No, I'm not afraid of death,
(Not very much afraid, that is)
Either for others or myself;
Can watch them coming from the line
On the wheeled silent stretchers
And not shrink,
But munch my sandwich stoically
And make a joke, when "it" has passed.
But-the way they wobble!-
God! that makes one sick.
Dead men should be so still, austere,
And beautiful,
Not wobbling carrion roped upon a cart …
Well, thank God for rum.




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