Life contracts and death is expected,
As in a season of autumn.
The soldier falls.
He does not become a three-days personage,
Imposing his separation,
Calling for pomp.
Death is absolute and without memorial,
As in a season of autumn,
When the wind stops,
When the wind stops and, over the heavens,
The clouds go, nevertheless,
In their direction.
I am busy working to bring Wallace Stevens's "The Death of a Soldier" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Wallace Stevens's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "The Death of a Soldier" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.