Keith Douglas

Remember me when I am dead
and simplify me when I'm dead.

As the processes of earth
strip off the colour and the skin
take the brown hair and blue eye            

and leave me simpler than at birth
when hairless I came howling in
as the moon entered in the cold sky.

Of my skeleton perhaps
so stripped, a learned man will say                    
'He was of such a type and intelligence,' no more.

Thus when in a year collapse
particular memories, you may
deduce, from the long pain I bore             

the opinions I held, who was my foe         
and what I left, even my appearance
but incidents will be no guide.

Time's wrong-way telescope will show
a minute man ten years hence
and by distance simplified.                         

Through that lens see if I seem
substance or nothing: of the world
deserving mention or charitable oblivion

not by momentary spleen
or love into decision hurled                                  
leisurely arrive at an opinion.

Remember me when I am dead
and simplify me when I'm dead.    

1941