If I Should Die

If I should die

Before I wake

Please dear friend

My soul to take

And if my eyes in freeze

Embrace an unkind

Vision of you

Lock tight my lids

With your lips fast kiss

If you made her heart beat faster

Steal from her just one throb

Open my vein

That corridor

That sewer

And whisper down the same

First your breath

Then your name

One fine breath

In that cold red nest

That should rob

That chamber

Of its horror

But if I in silence

You cannot trust

To have that word

Rest in my blood's dust

Throw the part away

Then I shall not name you

And if my mouth should open

And I say

I love you

Put your fingers to my lips

And push the soul

Back in the hole

Take my hair

Bind tight your eyes and ears

And as you take your leave

So too take tight

Her warm hand

For she cannot hear me say

Stay