Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SING, YE TRENCHES!, by HELEN COALE CREW


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SING, YE TRENCHES!, by                    
First Line: Sing, ye trenches bloody-lipped!
Last Line: Paean shout for lycidas!
Subject(s): Army Life; Death; Drills & Minor Tactics; Dead, The


Sing, ye trenches bloody-lipped!
Sing! For into you has slipped
Lycidas, dead ere his prime.
All ye cruel trenches, sing!
Under frost and under rime
All his body beautiful,
All his body wonderful,
Low hath lain. Now, cunningly,
April, with sweet mystery,
Molds the trenches horror-lipped
Into chalices of spring.

Who would not sing for Lycidas?
See, across the hideous gashes
Soft green fire of April flashes,
Starred with windflowers delicate;
Gemmed with purple violet;
Roseate with crimson glow
Where again his pulses blow
In young clover. For his sake
See the budding crocus break
Into flame; and hear the grass,
Green-tongued, sing for Lycidas!

Sing, ye gaping wounds of earth!
Tomb-like, ye have taken him,
Cradled him, distilled him;
Womb-like, ye have brought to birth
Myriad flowers and fragrances.
Requiemed with spring he lies.
God, who took unto His heart
All his throbbing, vital part,
Sowed his body in the earth.
Let the trumpets of the grass
Paean shout for Lycidas!





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