In the Valley

As I laid in the valley of shadow, I wept

Death did come see me, looked and said

‘Why do you weep oh loved one’, I say,

And in tears and sobs I whispered

‘For I have found the end of my line

And die I must for I have finished my climb

But what should I die for if I am to make

My death worth anything for my life’s sake?’

‘Ah’, she mumbled, troubled herself

‘I met plenty who had this decision to make,’

She said; the moon shimmering over

Her pale pale skin.

And then her lips smiled

(such beauty too see)

‘I know!’ she said

And she sat down by me…

‘For justice die, to find an honourable death

Or for nature to find beauty instead

Die for others to feel satisfaction within

Die for your country and pride

you shall feel, you shall win’

I frowned in displeasure and admitted to her

‘Justice and nature and others and else

I had in life and wish not

To honour in death’

‘Then for truth perhaps’

She said thinking hard

‘For truth always does give

A peaceful new start-

Or maybe for art, to

Immortalise your heart.’

I sat silently and sadly

And irritably she said

‘Well what do you wish me

To give you in death?’

I hastened then brightened

For this one I knew

‘Happiness I want.’

And I knew it was true.

She laughed and it rang,

Over the meadows so sweet

She stood up hastily

And shuffled her feet

She gave me her hand

And whispered to the night

‘For love my dear,

For love you should die,

For even though I bring death

And this makes many fret

Love never did I

- manage to upset.’

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