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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BANNERS, by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER Poet's Biography
First Line: Like ruddy or tawny masses of torn flame
Last Line: Veils of the dawn, where red stars flicker grim!
Subject(s): London
First Line: Like ruddy or tawny masses of torn flame
Last Line: Veils of the dawn, where red stars flicker grim!
Subject(s): London
LIKE ruddy or tawny masses of torn flame,
Over the whirlpool seething in agony
Defiantly they flap and shake on high
The electricity of life, that, ever the same,
Fulminates in the city's pain and shame,
And streams in smoke-clouds towards the ashen sky;
A roaring chaos of wrath and mystery
Fashioned to pleasure That-Which-Has-No Name:
Banners on banners heavily everywhere,
Soul-oriflammes of blood and hate and lust,
Burst flickering through the abysms of the air.
Leap, condors chained; it is our will; you must.
And scream our tragedy even to those dim
Veils of the dawn, where red stars flicker grim!
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Other Poems of Interest...
THE WHARF ON THAMES-SIDE: WINTER DAWN by LAURENCE BINYON
THE IDLER'S CALENDAR: MAY. THE LONDON SEASON by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT
A LONDON THOROUGHFARE, 2 A.M. by AMY LOWELL
SPRING WIND IN LONDON by KATHERINE MANSFIELD
A BALLAD OF WHITECHAPEL by ISAAC ROSENBERG
LONDON, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE
ARIZONA POEMS: 2. MEXICAN QUARTER by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER