Shut close the wearied eyes, O Sleep! <br /> So close no dreams may come between, <br /> Of all the sorrows they have seen; <br /> Too long, too sad, their watch hath been. <br /> Be faithful, Sleep: <br />Lest they should wake-remembering; <br />Lest they should wake, and waking weep, <br /> O Sleep, sweet Sleep! <br /> <br />Clasp close the wearied hands, O Rest! <br /> Poor hands, so thin and feeble grown <br /> With all the tasks which they have done; <br /> Now they are finished-every one. <br /> O happy Rest, <br /> Fold them at last from laboring, <br /> In quiet on the quiet breast, <br /> O Rest, sweet Rest! <br /> <br />Press close unto her heart, O Death! <br /> So close, not any pulse may stir <br /> The garments of her sepulcher: <br /> Lo, life hath been so sad to her! <br /> O kindest Death, <br /> Within thy safest sheltering <br /> Nor pain nor sorrow entereth- <br /> O Death, sweet Death!<br /><br />Ina D. Coolbrith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/at-peace-10/
