Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG OF THE BULLET, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE BULLET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: It whizzed and whistled along the blurred
Last Line: Peace!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Bullets; Hate; Patriotism; Peace; War


IT whizzed and whistled along the blurred
And red-blent ranks; and it nicked the star
Of an epaulette, as it snarled the word --
War!

On it sped -- and the lifted wrist
Of the ensign-bearer stung, and straight
Dropped at his side as the word was hissed --
Hate!

On went the missile -- smoothed the blue
Of a jaunty cap and the curls thereof,
Cooing, soft as a dove might do -- Love!

Sang! -- sang on! -- sang hate -- sang war --
Sang love, in sooth, till it needs must cease,
Hushed in the heart it was questing for. --
Peace!





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