Two Songs For The World's End
I
Bombs ripen on the leafless tree
under which the children play.
And there my darling all alone
dances in the spying day.
I gave her nerves to feel her pain,
I put her mortal beauty on.
I taught her love that hate might find,
its black work the easier done.
I sent her out alone to play;
and I must watch, and I must hear,
how underneath the leafless tree,
the children dance and sing with Fear.
II
Lighted by the rage of time
where the blind and dying weep,
in my shadow take your sleep,
though wakeful I.
Sleep unhearing while I pray -
Should the red tent of the sky
fall to fold your time away,
wake to weep before you die.
Die believing all is true
that love your maker said to you
Still believe
that had you lived you would have found
love, world, sight, sound,
sorrow, beauty - all true.
Grieve for death your moment - grieve.
The world, the lover you must take,
is the murderer you will meet.
But if you die before you wake
never think death sweet.
— Judith A. Wright
#life-and-death #motherhood #beauty
