Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LOST BATTLE, by ALFRED NOYES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It is not over yet -- the fight Last Line: Courage, it is not over yet. Subject(s): Bodies; Death; Dreams; Names; Night; War; Dead, The; Nightmares; Bedtime | ||||||||
IT is not over yet -- the fight Where those immortal dreamers failed. They stormed the citadels of night And the night praised them -- and prevailed. So long ago the cause was lost We scarce distinguish friend from foe; But -- if the dead can help it most -- The armies of the dead will grow. The world has all our banners now, and filched our watchwords for its own. The world has crowned the "rebel's" brow And millions crowd his lordly throne. The masks have altered. Names are names; They praise the "truth" that is not true. The "rebel" that the world acclaims Is not the rebel Shelley knew. We may not build that Commonweal. We may not reach the goal we set. But there's a flag they dare not steal. Forward! It is not over yet. We shall be dust and under dust Before we end that ancient wrong; But here's a sword that cannot rust, And where's the death can touch a song? So, when our bodies rot in earth The singing souls that once were ours, Weaponed with light and helmed with mirth, Shall front the kingdoms and the powers. The ancient lie is on its throne, And half the living still forget; But, since the dead are all our own, Courage, it is not over yet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BREATH OF NIGHT by RANDALL JARRELL HOODED NIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS WORKING OUTSIDE AT NIGHT by DENIS JOHNSON POEM TO TAKE BACK THE NIGHT by JUNE JORDAN COOL DARK ODE by DONALD JUSTICE POEM TO BE READ AT 3 A.M by DONALD JUSTICE ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT by BOB KAUFMAN MOUNTAIN LAUREL by ALFRED NOYES |
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