Classic Poem

WHEREIN HE REALIZES WITH A START THE NEARNESS OF DEATH

My mirror's frequent fierce fidelity —
The spirit broken and the shrivelled skin,
The forces flagging — Nature's bulletin —
Have said, " No nonsense! Age demands her fee! "
Obedience to our natural destiny
Is always best: struggle — and time will win;
On a sudden, as the flame the wave sucks in,
The harsh truth drowns the blind untruth in me.
And clearly I perceive our vain life go,
That cannot constitute our true selves twice;
Her voice rings in my heart's heart: well I know
That she who scorns her beauty here below,
Who walked the world like light, who burned like ice,
Took with her her own beauty's sole device.