He was my north my south my east and west

stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone
prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone
silence the pianos and with muffled drum
bring out the coffin, let the mourners come

let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
scribbling on the sky the message he is dead
put crepe bows around the white necks of public doves
let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves

he was my north my south my east and west
my working week and my sunday rest
my noon my mindnight my talk my song
i thought that love would last forever: i was wrong

the stars are not wanted now put out every one
pack up the moon and dismantle the sun
pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood
for nothing now can ever come to any good

stop all the clocks / w.h. auden