Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MORTALITY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

First Line: ASHES TO ASHES, DUST UNTO DUST
Last Line: ASHES TO ASHES, DUST UNTO DUST!
Subject(s): MORTALITY;
ASHES to ashes, dust unto dust,
What of his loving, what of his lust?
What of his passion, what of his pain?
What of his poverty, what of his pride?
Earth, the great mother, has called him again:
Deeply he sleeps, the world's verdict defied.
Shall he be tried again? Shall he go free?
Who shall the court convene? Where shall it be?
No answer on the land, none from the sea.
Only we know that as he did, we must:
You with your theories, you with your trust, --
Ashes to ashes, dust unto dust!



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