circles

Oblivion
By Jessie Fauset


From the French of Massillon Coicou (Haiti)


I hope when I am dead that I shall lie
In some deserted graveI cannot tell you why,
But I should like to sleep in some neglected spot
Unknown to every one, by every one forgot.

There lying I should taste with my dead breath
The utter lack of life, the fullest sense of death;
And I should never hear the note of jealousy or hate,
The tribute paid by passersby to tombs of state.

To me would never penetrate the prayers and tears
That futilely bring torture to dead and dying ears;
There I should lie annihilate and my dead heart would bless
Oblivionthe shroud and envelope of happiness.