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A Ballade of Suicide

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  The gallows in my garden, people say,
Is new and neat and adequately tall;
I tie the noose on in a knowing way
As one that knots his necktie for a ball;
But just as all the neighbours--on the wall--
Are drawing a long breath to shout "Hurray!"
The strangest whim has seized me. . . . After all
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

To-morrow is the time I get my pay--
My uncle's sword is hanging in the hall--
I see a little cloud all pink and grey--
Perhaps the rector's mother will not call-- I fancy that I heard from Mr. Gall
That mushrooms could be cooked another way--
I never read the works of Juvenal--
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

The world will have another washing-day;
The decadents decay; the pedants pall;
And H.G. Wells has found that children play,
And Bernard Shaw discovered that they squall,
Rationalists are growing rational--
And through thick woods one finds a stream astray
So secret that the very sky seems small--
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

Envoi

Prince, I can hear the trumpet of Germinal,
The tumbrils toiling up the terrible way;
Even to-day your royal head may fall,
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

GK Chesterton


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  Comments about this poem (A Ballade of Suicide by GK Chesterton )
Click here to write your comments about this poem (A Ballade of Suicide by GK Chesterton )
 
  Michael Gale  (11/8/2006 6:37:00 PM)

I will not hang today...
I will not swing this sad way.

I will not shoot too close at heart....
Of this day i shan't of earth depart.

I shall not die this day...
I shall live on to pay my way.

Should not hope to end this day...
Best shortly before death will i be pleased to God to lastly pray.

Great poem. A great poem inspires others to write and sway.

An easy ten. God bless all poets-MJG.
 
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11/25/2009 2:13:47 PM. #.34# You Are Here: A Ballade of Suicide by GK Chesterton

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