Death & Dying

Benjamin Pantier

by Edgar Lee Masters 1868–1950

From Spoon River Anthology (1916)

Death & Dying

Together in this grave lie Benjamin Pantier, attorney at law,
And Nig, his dog, constant companion, solace and friend.
Down the gray road, friends, children, men and women,
Passing one by one out of life, left me till I was alone
With Nig for partner, bed-fellow; comrade in drink.
In the morning of life I knew aspiration and saw glory,
The she, who survives me, snared my soul
With a snare which bled me to death,
Till I, once strong of will, lay broken, indifferent,
Living with Nig in a room back of a dingy office.
Under my Jaw-bone is snuggled the bony nose of Nig
Our story is lost in silence. Go by, mad world!

MLA

Masters, Edgar Lee. “Benjamin Pantier.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/masters/13/.

Chicago

Masters, Edgar Lee. “Benjamin Pantier.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/masters/13/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Edgar Lee Masters