THE DEATH OF A SOLDIER

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Life contracts and death is expected,
As in a season of autumn.
The soldier falls.
He does not become a three-days personage,
Imposing his separation,
Calling for pomp.
Death is absolute and without memorial,
As in a season of autumn,
When the mind stops.
When the wind stops and, over the heavens,
The clouds go, nevertheless,
In their direction.

1931

© Wallace Stevens
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© E-publisher LiterNet, 18.08.2009
The Sun Is but a Morning Star. Anthology of American Literature. Edited by Albena Bakratcheva. Varna: LiterNet, 2008-2010