Classic Poem

One lies so long when one is laid
Dead in the dust! I am afraid,
Yes, much afraid the Day of Doom
May tarry long before it come.

From life and light ere I depart,
Oh once, before I break my heart —
Before I die, I fain would find
Some woman fair who would be kind.

But I will only have a blonde,
With eyes like moonlight, soft and fond.
Somehow at last I've lost desire
For wild brunettes of sun and fire.

Young folk are strong and full of life;
They must have passion and its strife,
Frenzy and noisy vows — the whole
That makes for mutual pain of soul.

No longer young and far from strong,
As I am now, once more I long
To love as in the earlier years,
Dream and be happy — without tears.