Classic Poem

What an adventure it will be to die,
When the dark sky,
Rent like the sepals of a ripened rose,
Parts to disclose
The golden Heart of Beauty at its core!
What a divine adventure to explore
The Valley of the Shadow, where the roar
Of Life's red river gradually grows dumb,
And darkness strangles us and we become
Sightless, and numb,
Nerveless, and cold,
Feeling the dear familiar body torn —
A robe outworn —
From the emergent spirit fold by fold!
What an adventure it will be to die,
And in a magic moment be reborn,
Passing upon the pinions of a sigh
From night to morn, —
To wake from sleep and find
The eyes no longer blind;
And like a sword, unsheathed, and bright, and bare,
The swift, emancipate, immortal Mind
Flashing and flaming in an ampler air!