The Dead

These there were, who lost their everything. Gave all! And left the earth a vaster sphere In memories: a song or two to sing, Some takes to tell, some thoughts to think, more near To humanness by death, and blood of death Than life itself, which in the passing hence Enriched the world with an awakened breath, And fled no longer nameless form the sense. ‘Twas not the shed of blood, but fearless mirth that set a wondrous pattern to the earth. And these,, - within a corner that is theirs, Are laid in smiling peace – a rich content. The pain has been – the glory is. Old cares Have dropped, and left no drooping wonder – ment.