If I Should Die

If I should die
Before I wake
Please, dear friend
My soul to take
And if my eyes, in freeze, embrace
An unkind vision of you
Lock tight my lids
With your lips fast kiss

And if you made her heart beat faster
Steal from her just one throb, just one throb...
Open my vein
That corridor, that sewer, that sewer...
And whisper down the same
First your breath and then your name
One fine breath in that cold red nest
That should rob that chamber of its horror

But if in silence you cannot trust
To have that word rest in my blood's dust
Throw the part away
Then I shall not name you
And if my mouth should open
And I say, "I love you" (I love you)
Put your fingers to my lips
Push the soul back in the hole
Take my hair
Bind tight your eyes and ears
And as you take your leave
So too take tight
Her warm hand
For she cannot hear me say,
"Stay"