The Death of a Soldier

By Wallace Stevens

Life contracts and death is expected,

As in season of autumn.

The soldier falls.

He does not become a three-days personage.

Imposing his separation,

Calling for pomp.

Death is absolute and without memorial,

As in a season of autumn,

When the wind stops,

When the wind stops and, over the heavens,

The clouds go, nevertheless,

In their direction.