|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHAT IS DEATH?, by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Looking on a page where stood
Last Line: Asking -- what is death?
Subject(s): Death; Graves; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones
First Line: Looking on a page where stood
Last Line: Asking -- what is death?
Subject(s): Death; Graves; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones
Looking on a page where stood
Graven of old on old-world wood
Death, and by the grave's edge grim,
Pale, the young man facing him,
Asked my well-beloved of me
Once what strange thing this might be,
Gaunt and great of limb.
Death, I told him: and surprise
Deepening more his wildwood eyes
(Like some sweet fleet thing's whose breath
Speaks all spring though nought it saith),
Up he turned his rosebright face
Glorious with its seven years' grace,
Asking -- What is death?
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL
SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS
THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER
THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS
NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH
ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON
ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS
ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL
A BALLAD OF DEATH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE