Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? (608)

Afraid! Of whom am I afraid? (608)

Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?
Not Death—for who is He?
The Porter of my Father's Lodge
As much abasheth me!

Of Life? 'Twere odd I fear [a] thing
That comprehendeth me
In one or two existences—
As Deity decree—

Of Resurrection? Is the East
Afraid to trust the Morn
With her fastidious forehead?
As soon impeach my Crown! 


As I was flipping though the pages this poem stuck out because it made me think of FDR's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" speech. In my mind's eye, I could see soldiers in the heat of battle thinking of this poem to give them strength. From a soldier's standpoint, the poem emphasizes the idea that fear must not enter their minds; that they must be ready to lay down their lives without a second thought.