Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RETRIBUTION, by WILMA CRITTENDEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RETRIBUTION, by                    
First Line: I spilt my blood upon a battlefield
Last Line: Behold the courage of the wandering jew!
Subject(s): Dreams; Hate; Jews; Judas Iscariot (d. 30 A.d.); Life; Nightmares; Judaism


I spilt my blood upon a battlefield
To mend the threadbare fabric of your lands --
A plow replaced my broken sword, to yield
Bread for your hungry mouth. My willing hands
Grew old in humble service to your plan.
Your blood flows in my veins -- my seed lie deep
Within your fertile soil. I gave all man
Can give for peace. Yet, now, alone, I keep
A vigil by the pitiful remains
Of all that was my life -- my last dream spent
Upon the rocks of hate. Beneath your chains
Of bitterness, my head is still unbent!

Oh Judas country, as I turn from you,
Behold the courage of the Wandering Jew!





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