Poem “When I Am Dead” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Poems of reflection

Download PDF

American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems of reflection
< < < Hung
In Memory of Miss Jenny Blanchard > > >

When I Am Dead

When I am dead, if some chastened one,
Seeing the “item,” or hearing it said
That my play is over and my part done,
  And I lie asleep in my narrow bed–
If I could know that some soul would say,
  Speaking aloud or silently,
“In the heat and the burden of the day,
  She gave a refreshing draught to me;”

Or, “When I was lying nigh unto death
  She nursed me to life and to strength again,
And when I labored and struggled for breath
  She smoothed and quieted down my pain;”
Or, “When I was groping in grief and doubt,
  Lost, and turned from the light o’ the day,
Her hand reached me and helped me out
  And led me up to the better way;”

Or, “When I was hated and shunned by all,
  Bowing under my sin and my shame,
She, once in passing me by, let fall
  Words of pity and hope, that came
Into my heart like a blessed calm
  Over the waves of the stormy sea,
Words of comfort, like oil and balm,
  She spake, and the desert blossomed for me;”

Better, by far, than a marble tomb–
  Than a monument towering over my head
(What shall I care, in my quiet room,
  For headboard or footboard when I am dead?);
Better than glory, or honors, or fame
  (Though I am striving for those to-day),
To know that some heart would cherish my name
  And think of me kindly, with blessings, alway.

< < < Hung
In Memory of Miss Jenny Blanchard > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems of reflection

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

Poems of reflection

When I Am Dead

Leave a comment Cancel reply