Wednesday’s poetry corner.

I went back to 101 Famous Poems for this week’s poet. Today I will share a poem with you that was written by Edmund Vance Cooke

Edmund Vance cook was born in 1866 and died in 1932 According to this. He is the author of many book, at least 16 of them were book of poetry. His most famous poem was “How did you die?" I have always liked this poem partially because it sounds so good when you read it aloud. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Give it a try read it out loud and see what you think.

How Did You Die?

Did you tackle that 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 did you fight -- and why?

And though you be done to the 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?

Online text copyright © 2005, Ian Lancashire for the Department of English, University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.

Original text: Impertinent Poems (New York: Dodge, 1907): 103. LE C7727imp Robarts Library
First publication date: 1903
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: RPO 2000.
Recent editing: 2:2002/3/20

Rhyme: ababcdcd efefcgcg ...

I am including this information just in case I need it so I don’t get in trouble for using the poem. Can’t be too careful, you know.