Poem of the day

the death of a soldier

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 wind stops,

when the wind stops and, over the heavens,
the clouds go, nevertheless,
in their direction.

wallace stevens
(from collected poetry & prose, p. 81)

(via The Dao of Wallace Stevens)