July 30, 2021 (Friday)
This poem, in public domain, is a fitting challenge to what Paul called, “the last enemy.” (1 Cor 15:26). Jesus conquered this enemy by accomplishing His death, burial and resurrection. In 1 Cor 15, Paul taunts death: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” John Donne, sixteen hundred years later, echoed the great apostle’s words.
Death
John Donne
1573–1631
DEATH, be not proud,
though some have callèd thee
Mighty and dreadful,
for thou art not so:
For those whom thou
think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death;
nor yet canst thou kill me.
From Rest and Sleep,
which but thy picture be,
Much pleasure, then
from thee much more must flow;
And soonest our best men with thee do go—
Rest of their bones
and souls’ delivery!
Thou’rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison,
war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy
stroke. Why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And Death shall be no
more: Death, thou shalt die!