Epitaph for a Timid Lady

When I was born a happy child
The waves ahead looked sweet and wild.
I lie beneath this final sheet
Who never found them wild or sweet.
I did not wish to wet my feet.

– Frances Cornford   1886-1960

I love this poem and I think it’s a wonderful reminder to live while we can but the last line feels wrong to me! It seems to me, from the title, that because the lady was timid she let fear take control of her life and it wasn’t that she didn’t want to wet her feet but that she was too scared to do so! So every time I read it I want to change the last line so that it reads:

“I was too scared to wet my feet.”

I think it would have more impact that way and inspire people to not let fear stop them doing the things they want in life rather than the anti-climactic ending of her just choosing not to!

What do you think?