If I may have it, when it's dead

If I may have it, when it's dead, I'll be contented — so — If just as soon as Breath is out It shall belong to me —

Until they lock it in the Grave, 'Tis Bliss I cannot weigh — For tho' they lock Thee in the Grave, Myself — can own the key —

Think of it Lover! I and Thee Permitted — face to face to be — After a Life — a Death — We'll say — For Death was That — And this — is Thee —

I'll tell Thee All — how Bald it grew — How Midnight felt, at first — to me — How all the Clocks stopped in the World — And Sunshine pinched me — 'Twas so cold —

Then how the Grief got sleepy — some — As if my Soul were deaf and dumb — Just making signs — across — to Thee — That this way — thou could'st notice me —

I'll tell you how I tried to keep A smile, to show you, when this Deep All Waded — We look back for Play, At those Old Times — in Calvary,

Forgive me, if the Grave come slow — For Coveting to look at Thee — Forgive me, if to stroke thy frost Outvisions Paradise!