Robert William Service

Indifference

When I am dead I will not care
Forever more,
If sky be radiantly fair
Or tempest roar.
If my life-hoard in sin be spent,
My wife re-wed,--
I'll be so damned indifferent
When I am dead.

When I meet up with dusty doom
What if I rest
In common ditch or marble tomb,
If curst or blest?
Shall my seed be to wealth or fame,
Or gallows led,--
To me it will be all the same
When I am dead.

So say for me no pious prayer,
Be no tear shed;
In nothingness I cannot care,
I'll be so dead.
I shall not reck of war or peace
When I go hence:
Lord, let me win sublime release,--
INDIFFERENCE!