One By One

Just in case...

If I should disappear one sudden night,

Escape, take flight, cast off my chains

And venture out one final time

Into the darkening light,

To leave this sinking hulk behind

Mired fast in weeds, and shallow deeds

That never now may be undone;

Take heed, I pray, who loved me once -

Death takes us, one by one!

 

If once you speak, but never get reply,

Though my eyes stare, not having said goodbye

When all that moved me, once, has gone

To join in common history the fate of everyman…

Don’t cry for me, for I am well content;

A life, lived, loved, and now made more complete

By ending thus, as everything must end.

No - save your tears for those I leave behind,

Grief is for the living, not the dead and blind!

 

And if you need some final words from me

To give you hope, some ultimate destiny,

As each one passes from this mortal stage, I say

‘Have faith!’ - as you, too, approach the end of days.

Be calm, accept, and we shall all be saved,

Just as the servant, taking back the keys of life

Confronts the Master he has served, in every faith,

And hears the words: ‘My son, you’ve done us proud!’

Gives back the key, and takes from him the shroud.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Marie]

A beautiful, thoughtful work. Death is not the end but a beginning, and only the living grieve.