How still the room is! But a while ago The sound of sobbing voices vexed my ears, And on my face there fell a rain of tears -- I scarce knew why or whence, but now I know. For this sweet speaking silence, this surcease Of the dumb, desperate struggle after breath, This painless consciousness of perfect peace, Which fills the place of anguish -- it is Death! What folly to have feared it! Not the best Of all we knew of life can equal this, Blending in one the sense of utter rest, The vivid certainty of boundless bliss! O Death, the loveliness that is in thee, Could the world know, the world would cease to be. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE: 1 by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL WHO WALKS WITH BEAUTY by DAVID MORTON UPON A SPIDER CATCHING A FLY by EDWARD TAYLOR THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): MEDEA'S DREAM by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS |