Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN THE HOSPITAL, by MARY WOOLSEY HOWLAND First Line: I lay me down to sleep Last Line: Lead after him. Variant Title(s): Rest;requiescam Subject(s): Death; Hospitals; Patriotism; Dead, The | ||||||||
I lay me down to sleep, With little care Whether my waking find Me here, or there. A bowing, burdened head That only asks to rest, Unquestioning, upon A living breast. My good right-hand forgets Its cunning now; To march the weary march I know not how. I am not eager, bold, Nor strong, -- all that is past; I am ready not to do, At last, at last. My half-day's work is done, And this is all my part, -- I give a patient God My patient heart; And grasp his banner still, Though all the blue be dim; These stripes as well as stars Lead after him. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND FIRST SPRING FLOWERS by MARY WOOLSEY HOWLAND |
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