Am I dead yet?
Killed complete?
Without knife or bayonet,
Life taken, discreet?

Is what was, no longer?
Did she the fire extinguish?
Have I lost to the warmonger?
Soul perished in anguish?

Yes, the drummer still beats
With rhythm sweet,
But it's faint and retreats,
As a distant bleat.

I'm not gone yet,
There is a flame,
E'en extinguished cigarette
Can still inflame.

I believe still,
A fire can ignite,
As spring daffodil
On a building-site.

Don't give up hope,
Don't slide the *****,
If she still hurts,
There's sweet deserts.

Keep on fighting,
Try your best,
Know her biting
Is the acid-test.