No, not I, full strengthened by this life,
Not shy, not flee, not dabble in the cry
Of all that golden die, not fight,
Not leap, not beg the distant sleep,
Not lie, not I -
No, not I.
No, not I will choose to weep,
Nor sigh, nor creep, nor battle in the deep
Unsolved mystery of all that’s sweet
To me, not I, I’ll never fly
The losers’ flag,
No, not I.
No, not I will hide my head and cease,
Not tremble, shake, not cling to this small lease
Of life bequeathed to me,
I’ll never shirk my destiny,
Beg to be free -
No, not I.
4/00
Poem about facing death with dignity
