Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HOW LONG?, by FERNER R. NUHN First Line: How long this vain, blind lust of power Last Line: Replace their country's battle song? Subject(s): Hate; Patriotism; Social Protest; War | ||||||||
How long this vain, blind lust of power Rough-hid in specious suavity Like Freudian complex, waxing sour, Running amuck in evil hour When peaceful peasants from each bower Are drenched in propaganda shower And dragged to die "vicariously"? How long will history call men great Whose highest claim to such renown Was that they taught men how to hate And kill their fellowsfor the state? Napoleon,or Pasteur, crown? Bismarck or Goethe, which goes down As one whom all should emulate? How long this "country right or wrong"; This mouth-allegiance to a flag; This madly patriotic throng Who cry out "Treason!" when men long To see a world with lines of hate Erased, and hymns of common love Replace their country's battle song? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I AM YOUR WAITER TONIGHT AND MY NAME IS DIMITRI by ROBERT HASS MITRAILLIATRICE by ERNEST HEMINGWAY RIPARTO D'ASSALTO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY WAR VOYEURS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA THE DREAM OF WAKING by RANDALL JARRELL THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SO MANY BLOOD-LAKES by ROBINSON JEFFERS |
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