I Would Rather Die In This Darkening Park

4 Replies

I
Would rather die
In this darkening park,
While
Evening birds sing,
Than in some sterile
Hospital wing,
Where drugs oblivion bring,
And no birds sing.

—

Having written the last line, I am reminded that I owe a huge debt to John Keats, “La Belle Dame sans Merci”, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44475/la-belle-dame-sans-merci-a-ballad).

The last 2 lines of the first stanza of Keat’s poem read:
“The sedge has withered from the lake,
And no birds sing”.
While the last stanza of the poem runs thus:
“And this is why I sojourn here,
Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is withered from the lake,
And no birds sing”.

4 thoughts on “I Would Rather Die In This Darkening Park”

  2. V.M.Sang's avatarV.M.Sang

    I absolutely agree with the sentiments of this poem, Kevin.
    And I studied La Belle Dame sans Merci when at college. You’ve reminded me to look it up again.

    Reply ↓
    1. K Morris Poet's avatarK Morris Poet Post author

      Thank you, Vivienne. I’m delighted that you can relate to this poem of mine, and I agree that Keat’s poem is wonderful. I’m pleased that you will revisit Keat’s work.

      Best wishes, Kevin

      Reply ↓

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