Hold to the past

HOLD to the past—
it’s all that’s certain
as you wait for the lifting
next act's curtain

You cannot hinder
him who strips
to essential skull
the lovely lips

Nor stop his setting
the alarum clock
to wake you sweating
at doomsday's shock—

But yet the knowledge
of all that’s gone
strengthens the flesh
on the skeleton.

8 March 1945