Here's how the poem explores this theme:
* The speaker's shock and disbelief: The poem begins with the speaker's immediate reaction to the news of their colleague's death - "I heard it first / With a shock of incredulity." This highlights the unexpectedness of death and how it can shatter our sense of normalcy.
* The speaker's attempt to make sense of the death: The speaker grapples with the sudden loss, trying to understand the meaning of death and the reasons for it. "Why did he die? / The question haunted me." This reflects the universal human need to find meaning in the face of death.
* The speaker's contemplation of life and death: The poem moves beyond the initial shock to explore broader themes of life and death. "We are all mortal, I knew. / Yet his death seemed to prove it," suggests a realization of the shared human experience of mortality.
* The lasting impact on the speaker: The poem concludes with the speaker's lingering sense of loss and the realization that their colleague's death has left a permanent void. "He is dead, and I must live / With the memory of him."
"Death of a Colleague" is a powerful and moving poem that poignantly captures the universal experience of grief and the lasting impact of death. It invites us to consider our own mortality and the preciousness of life.