Lament

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Listen, children: 
Your father is dead.   From his old coats 
I’ll make you little jackets; 
I’ll make you little trousers 
From his old pants. 
There’ll be in his pockets 
Things he used to put there, 
Keys and pennies 
Covered with tobacco; 
Dan shall have the pennies 
To save in his bank; 
Anne shall have the keys 
To make a pretty noise with. 
Life must go on, 
And the dead be forgotten; 
Life must go on, 
Though good men die; 
Anne, eat your breakfast; 
Dan, take your medicine; 
Life must go on; 
I forget just why.