An Irish Airman Foresees His Death Death Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death (14-16)

That word "seemed" is important here. If the future only "seemed" a "waste of breath," that doesn't mean it actually is. It is possible, then, that "this life, this death" really isn't all that?