The Doctor Asked her what she Wanted Done

The doctor asked her what she wanted done

With him, that could not lie there many days.

And she was shocked to see how life goes on

Even after death, in irritating ways;

And mused how if he had not died at all

'Twould have been easier-then there need not be

The stiff disorder of a funeral

Everywhere, and the hideous industry, / And crowds of people calling her by name

And questioning her, she'd never seen before, / But only watching by his bed once more

And sitting silent if a knocking came . . .

She said at length, feeling the doctor's eyes, / "I don't know what you do exactly when a person dies. "