I was an English teacher for 17 years. In my early years of teaching, I made it a requirement that each student memorizes a poem. When we analyzed John Donne’s Holy Sonnet X, Death Be Not Proud, I told them this would be a poem they would remember and draw upon when they need it. I inserted this poem into Rebecca’s funeral program because I needed it.
Holy Sonnet X: Death Be Not Proud
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think