“_The Swift and Sharp-tongued Flame of Death_”
The swift and sharp-tongued flame of death
Has touched our hearts. We love no more;
No more for us to drink the breath
Of life in one long kiss and store
Its fragrance ’till we kiss again.
All that is gone, and gone our dreams.
Remember if you will. The stain
Of rich red wine for me, it seems,
Is better far than memories.
And lest the ghostly perfume smell
Too sweet, and life be drowned in seas
Like this--I drink and say farewell.