Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, YOU, WHO HAVE SONS TO SPARE!, by L. ALLEN BECK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

YOU, WHO HAVE SONS TO SPARE!, by                    
First Line: You casual mothers, who no longer care
Last Line: You, who have sons to spare!
Subject(s): Mothers; War


You casual mothers, who no longer care;
You, who so lightly bore your sons,
Grudgingly nursed, nor felt maternal pride,
However faint, when toddling ones
Turned breathlessly to you, triumphant and wide-eyed,
For commendation --
You who have sons to spare!

You, who ignored their little stomach-gnawings
Because to satisfy them meant self-deprivation;
Who doubtless frowned lest aught
Of tenderness or tolerance be taught
Them, or consideration, or that might
Is not a constant synonym of right --
You, who have sons to spare!

You, who have watched young limbs mature.
Firm and responsive with that pure
Red fluid that sets flesh aglow:
You, who have watched them grow --
Yet, who have sons to spare!

You will not shudder that some shrapnel-shell
May stab this flesh into a burning hell
Till gushes forth the torrent coursing there,
Sending your son to start his journey West
From out the shambles of some shelled machine-gun nest!

Go trade them for dead heroes; nor
Wait long to loose the dogs of war --
You, who have sons to spare!





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