The Art of Being Alive

Art thou alive? Nay, not too soon reply, Tho' hand and foot, and lip, and ear, and eye Respond, and do thy bidding; yet maybe Grim death has done his direst work with thee. Life, as God gives it, is a thing apart From active body and from beating heart. It is the vital spark, the unseen fire, That moves the mind to reason and aspire; It is the force that bids emotion roll. In mighty billows from the surging soul.