Metaphysical Speculations

Last semester I taught my first class ever on 17th century metaphysical poetry. Before the class I knew next to nothing about such things. My focus is more contemporary literature. But I find that I've fallen in love with Mr. John Donne. He uses unusual metaphors to explore ideas about life, death, love, and religion--and forces us to think of such things from a fresh perspective. Take this new favorite of mine:

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,	5
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,	10
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Haunting and powerful. Think about it. Love it.