War, the Liberator, and Other Pieces/Death
For works with similar titles, see Death.
DEATH
BECAUSE I have made light of deathAnd mocked at wounds and pain,The doom is laid on me to die—Like the humble men in days gone by—That angered me to hear them cryFor pity to me in vain.
I shall not go out suddenlyAs many a man has done.But I shall lie as those men lay—Longing for death the whole long day—Praying, as I heard those men pray,And none shall heed me, none.
The fierce waves will go surging onBefore they tend to me.Oh, God of battles I pray you sendNo word of pity—no help, no friend,That if my spirit break at the endNone may be there to see.