Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LEE O. HARRIS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O say not he is dead Last Line: And say: he lives, we know. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Honor; Love; Patriotism; Dead, The | ||||||||
O SAY not he is dead, The friend we honored so; Lift up a grateful voice instead And say: He lives, we know -- We know it by the light Of his enduring love Of honor, valor, truth and right, And man, and God above. Remember how he drew The child-heart to his own, And taught the parable anew, And reaped as he had sown; Remember with what cheer He filled the little lives, And stayed the sob and dried the tear With mirth that still survives. All duties to his kind It was his joy to fill; With nature gentle and refined, Yet dauntless soul and will, He met the trying need Of every troublous call, Yet high and clear and glad indeed He sung above it all. Ay, listen! Still we hear The patriot song, the lay Of love, the woodland note so dear -- These will not die away. Then say not he is dead, The friend we honor so, But lift a grateful voice instead, And say: He lives, we know. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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