Author: Abram Joseph Ryan

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    Some day in Spring,
     When earth is fair and glad,
    And sweet birds sing,
     And fewest hearts are sad --
        Shall I die then?
        Ah! me, no matter when;
    I know it will be sweet
        To leave the homes of men
     And rest beneath the sod,
    To kneel and kiss Thy feet
     In Thy home, O my God!

    Some Summer morn
     Of splendors and of songs,
    When roses hide the thorn
     And smile -- the spirit's wrongs --
        Shall I die then?
        Ah! me, no matter when;
    I know I will rejoice
        To leave the haunts of men
     And lie beneath the sod,
    To hear Thy tender voice
     In Thy home, O my God!

    Some Autumn eve,
     When chill clouds drape the sky,
    When bright things grieve
     Because all fair things die --
        Shall I die then?
        Ah! me, no matter when,
    I know I shall be glad,
        Away from the homes of men,
     Adown beneath the sod,
    My heart will not be sad
     In Thy home, O my God!

    Some Wintry day,
     When all skies wear a gloom,
    And beauteous May
     Sleeps in December's tomb,
        Shall I die then?
        Ah! me, no matter when;
    My soul shall throb with joy
        To leave the haunts of men
     And sleep beneath the sod.
    Ah! there is no alloy
     In Thy joys, O my God!

    Haste, death! be fleet;
    I know it will be sweet
     To rest beneath the sod,
    To kneel and kiss Thy feet
     In heaven, O my God!

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poignant poem explores themes of mortality, spiritual longing, and the cyclical nature of life, using the progression of the seasons as a metaphor for the journey of life. The poem's tone is one of peaceful acceptance and even anticipation of death, providing an intriguing counterpoint to the often feared topic.

The poem is structured around four stanzas, each representing a season and corresponding phase of life: Spring (youth), Summer (adulthood), Autumn (old age), and Winter (death). This cyclical structure underscores the poem's theme of life's natural progression, while also echoing the inevitability of death.

The repetition of the phrase "Shall I die then?" at the beginning of each stanza creates a refrain that is both haunting and comforting. This refrain, coupled with the speaker's serene acceptance of death, serves as a powerful statement on the beauty and transcendence of the afterlife. The poem also utilizes personification, such as 'roses hide the thorn' and 'bright things grieve', lending an almost human quality to nature, which further emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and death.

The poem is rich in religious imagery and sentiment, suggesting a deep spiritual faith that views death not as an end but as a transition to a divine home. The repeated phrases "To leave the haunts/homes of men" and "in Thy home, O my God" emphasize this strong spiritual belief and longing for union with the divine.

In essence, this poem offers a profound meditation on the cyclical nature of life and death, presenting death not as something to be feared, but as a peaceful transition to a different, divine existence. The rich imagery and spiritual undertones provide layers of depth, making this a thoughtful and moving piece of poetry.