A Ballade Of Suicide Poem by Gilbert Keith Chesterton
A Ballade Of Suicide
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.
Powerful words Keith...I know about suicide all too well.. :) -EllaRose
I think I will not hang myself to-day To-morrow is the time I get my pay.
'And through thick woods one finds a stream astray, So secret the very shy seems small-' It is often the small things that persuade us 'not to do it today'
A lovely Ballade that ends with an equally beautiful envoi.
Due to Poetry, no suicie at all. Marvelous poem. CONGRATULATIONS for being honoured with the Classic Poem Of The Day. Bit an eerie poem with menyioning that suicide. Rest In Peace Gilbert Sir!
I can hear the trumpet! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Excellent poetic rhyming form. Certainly a favorite of mine. Great post. : -)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
10/15/2024 6:52:18 PM # 1.0.0
I have a vision to write like this, only if god would bless me enough to.ghtyd