I had walked since dawn and lay down to rest on a bare

hillside

Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture

wheeling high up in heaven,

And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its

orbit narrowing, I understood then

That I was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard

the flight-feathers

Whistle above me and make their circle and come

nearer.

I could see the naked red head between the great wings

Bear downward staring. I said, "My dear bird, we are wasting

time here.

These old bones will still work; they are not for you."

But how beautiful he looked, gliding down

On those great sails; how beautiful he looked, veering

away in the sea-light over the precipice. I tell you

solemnly

That I was sorry to have disappointed him. To be eaten

by that beak and become part of him, to share those

wings and those eyes--

What a sublime end of one's body, what an enskyment;

What a life after death.