O Death

O Death oh Death, I had a dream of you walking, angry and cold in your guncotton trousers, your terror frieze hair— and why are you so alone? where have all your companions gone? (stolen one by one from under the apple sun) and oh, Death-- she was so so sweet, the smiling doll you dreamed of— will you wake her, will you take her, will you make her tremble eyes wide? Death ha, ha Death. I know you, I know your whisky nights and your slow empty days -- where are all the castles & cabins of your good friends? too dark & cold, now, for you to visit once more? Did you know, when you took them, how you would miss their light? When you came with your righteous shroud, with your pine box night? you've become quicker & slicker with your bone bone hand you've become faster, almost careless with your caress— will you ever stop? will you ever find someone who can last?