The Whirligig

I've lived and died a thousand times
A thousand times before
So tell me what it is that hurts
To live and die once more?

Back I go upon my round
As merry as can be
The circus is a whirligig
With all the rivets free.

And all the wheels with locking teeth
Grind and gnaw and spin
Just like the curves of space and time
That end and then begin.

I've died and lived a thousand times
A thousand times before
So tell me, what is new in Heaven
To make me live once more?