Death Snips Proud Men
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)
DEATH is stronger than all the governments because
The governments are men and men die and then
Death laughs: Now you see ’em, now you don’t.
Death is stronger than all proud men and so death
Snips proud men on the nose, throws a pair of
Dice and says: Read ’em and weep.
Death sends a radiogram every day: When I want
You I’ll drop in–and then one day he comes with a
Master-key and lets himself in and says: We’ll
Go now.
Death is a nurse mother with big arms: ‘Twon’t hurt
You at all; it’s your time now; just need a
Long sleep, child; what have you had anyhow
Better than sleep?
The Invisible Choir 