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1885–1930

BITTERNESS OF DEATH

David Herbert Lawrence

AH, stern, cold man, How can you lie so relentless hard While I wash you with weeping water! Do you set your face against the daughter

Of life? Can you never discard Your curt pride's ban? You masquerader! How can you shame to act this part

Of unswerving indifference to me? You want at last, ah me! To break my heart Evader!

You know your mouth Was always sooner to soften Even than your eyes. Now shut it lies

Relentless, however often I kiss it in drouth. It has no breath Nor any relaxing. Where,

Where are you, what have you done? What is this mouth of stone? How did you dare Take cover in death!

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BITTERNESS OF DEATH · David Herbert Lawrence · Poetry Cove