Classic Poem

If you walk in the valley whose temples are shattered,
Whose statues lie broke where the still waters flow
Through gardens of brambles whose roses lie scattered
That bloomed in their pride long ago —
If you fain would forget, having hope, but too weary,
Too weak from the valley of silence to flee,
Yet praying for strength to escape from its dreary
Enthraldom — once more to be free —
There's a place where the chains of remembrance are broken —
I am Sleep — come with me.

If your life is in darkness — if hope has departed
Your soul, leaving only the past for its friend,
And you sit by the fountain of tears broken-hearted
And secretly pray for the end —
If you wail by a grave from whose mound you can never
Uplift your sad eyes to the world as of yore
Because she has left you forever and ever
Whose spirit your own did adore,
Come with me, there is rest for you, rest and no sorrow —
I am Death — weep no more.