How Did You Die?~

This is a poem writen by Edmund Vance Cooke in 1903.  It really puts things in perspective!


How Did You Die?

Did you tackle the trouble that came your way
  With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
  With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
   Or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
  But only how did you take it?


You are beaten to earth?  Well, well, what's that?
  Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
  But to lie there- that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
  Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts;
  It's how you fight and why?

And though you be done to death, what then?
  If you battled the best you could;
If you played your part in the world of men,
  Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
  And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
  But only,  how did you die?  


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Here's to fighting to the end, and dying well~ Ruby Jeanette