Poems (Piatt)/Volume 1/Life and Death

For works with similar titles, see Life and Death.
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LIFE AND DEATH.
If I had chosen, my tears had all been dews; I would have drawn a bird's or blossom's breath,Nor outmoaned yonder dove. I did not choose— And here is Life for me, and there is Death.
Ay, here is Life. Bloom for me, violet; Whisper me, Love, all things that are not true;Sing, nightingale and lark, till I forget— For here is Life, and I have need of you.
So, there is Death. Fade, violet, from the land; Cease from your singing, nightingale and lark;Forsake me, Love, for I without your hand Can find my way more surely to the dark.
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