The Innisfree Poetry Journal
www.innisfreepoetry.org

by Bruce Bennett



A Fine Address to Death


“Death, be not proud”: A fine address to Death,
That sadist skeleton, that mocking skull,
That zero sum game threatening to annul
Identity and being with our breath.
Yes, we can gird our courage to defy
That Knight of Nothingness, that Bully Power,
And stand and brave Him in that shining hour
We’re given till we really have to die
And go we know not where, though we can guess—
And there’s the rub—we’re pretty sure we know,
Despite the faith we’re eager to profess.
No wonder we’re so eager not to go,
Until that time arrives when it seems right
That we go, gentle, into that goodnight.



Copyright 2006-2012 by Cook Communication