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Leaves of Grass (1891-92)
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TO ONE SHORTLY TO DIE.
FROM all the rest I single out you, having a message for you, |
You are to die—let others tell you what they please, I cannot
prevaricate,
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I am exact and merciless, but I love you—there is no escape for
you.
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Softly I lay my right hand upon you, you just feel it, |
I do not argue, I bend my head close and half envelop it, |
I sit quietly by, I remain faithful, |
I am more than nurse, more than parent or neighbor, |
I absolve you from all except yourself spiritual bodily, that is eter-
nal, you yourself will surely escape,
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The corpse you will leave will be but excrementitious. |
The sun bursts through in unlooked-for directions, |
Strong thoughts fill you and confidence, you smile, |
You forget you are sick, as I forget you are sick, |
You do not see the medicines, you do not mind the weeping
friends, I am with you,
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I exclude others from you, there is nothing to be commiserated, |
I do not commiserate, I congratulate you. |
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