Oh! Death will find me, long before I tire
   Of watching you; and swing me suddenly
Into the shade and loneliness and mire
   Of the last land! There, waiting patiently,

One day, I think, I'll feel a cool wind blowing,
   See a slow light across the Stygian tide,
And hear the Dead about me stir, unknowing,
   And tremble. And I shall know that you have died.

And watch you, a broad-browed and smiling dream,
   Pass, light as ever, through the lightless host,
Quietly ponder, start, and sway, and gleam---
   Most individual and bewildering ghost!---

And turn, and toss your brown delightful head
Amusedly, among the ancient Dead.

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Page last updated: 6 August 1998 ©1998-1999, Richard J. Yanco