Oh traitor breath
That steals into the lungs so,
Unwelcome visitor
Coming too oft to call.

Treacherous heart,
To beat your will upon me,
To knock so constantly,
Pour life into my halls.

Unfaithful legs,
To lift, and pull, and carry,
Taking me on and on
Roads I care not to trod.

Oh hateful mind!
To bring back to my memory
The duties that I owe
To man, and more, to God.

Oh faithless love,
To go, and worse, to leave me.
To hurry on your way,
And not await my time.

All marches on,
And waits not on my pleasure
To live, or die, or linger,
Or leave me so behind.

– s. Clark