The song of a man who was dead <br />Ere any had heard of his song, <br />Or had seen this his ultimate song, <br />With the lines of it written in red, <br />And the sound of it steady and strong. <br />When you hear it, you know I am dead. <br />Not because I was weary of life <br />As pallid poets are: <br />My star was a conquering star, <br />My element strife. <br />I am young, I am strong, I am brave, <br />It is therefore I go to the grave. <br /> <br />Now to life and to life's desire, <br />And to youth and the glory of youth, <br />Farewell, for I go to acquire, <br />By the one road left me, Truth. <br />Though a great God slay me with fire <br />I will shout till he answer me. Why? <br />(One soul and a Universe, why?) <br />And for this it is pleasant to die. <br /> <br />For years and years I have slumbered, <br />And slumber was heavy and sweet, <br />But the last few moments are numbered <br />Like trampling feet that beat. <br />I shall walk with the stars in their courses, <br />And hear very soon, very soon, <br />The voice of the forge of the Forces, <br />And ride on a ridge of the moon, <br />And sing a celestial tune.<br /><br />James Elroy Flecker<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/felo-de-se-3/
