The poem
Chattering finch and water-fly Are not merrier than I; Here among the flowers I lie Laughing everlastingly. No; I may not tell the best; Surely, friends, I might have guessed Death was but the good King's jest, It was hid so carefully.
The Skeleton
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- john v. gribbin61 words
I find this poem offers deep spiritual comfort for transforming the usually fearsome image of a skeleton into a laughing figure filled with mirth. Chesterton sees god as "the good king" who plays a jest with man by keeping death's reality a secret. Humor and god are not usual used in the same poem which only adds to this poem's impact.