'After the Last Breath' (poem) written by Thomas Hardy

This poem was to commemorate the death of the poet's mother, Jemima, in 1904


There's no more to be done, or feared, or hoped;

None now need watch, speak low, and list, and tire;

No irksome crease outsmoothed, no pillow sloped

Does she require.


Blankly we gaze. We are free to go or stay;

Our morrow's anxious plans have missed their aim;

Whether we leave to-night or wait till day

Counts as the same.


The lettered vessels of micaments 

Seem asking wherefore we have set them here;

Each palliative its silly face presents 

As useless  gear.


And yet we feel that something savours well;

We note a numb relief withheld before;

Our well-beloved is prisoner in the cell

Of Time no more.


We see by littles now the deft achievement

Whereby she has escaped the Wrongers all,

In view of which our momentary bereavement

Outshapes but small.

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