Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VOICE OF THE UNKNOWN DEAD, by HERBERT STOTESBURY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VOICE OF THE UNKNOWN DEAD, by                    
First Line: Oh, my people! Do ye wonder
Last Line: Be the symbols of his peace.
Subject(s): Death; Military; Peace; Soldiers; Unknown Soldier; War; Dead, The


Oh, my people! Do ye wonder
Whom the spades are digging under,
To the gun's saluting thunder
And the bugle's final call!
Was I one of starved affection?
Was I bowed with imperfection?
Oh, until the resurrection
It shall matter not at all!

What I was hath passed behind me
With the dust that God assigned me;
And the grave that once confined me
Hath been opened for a space
That my voice may speak in thunder,
While the spades shall dig me under,
Of the wrath that tears asunder,
Or opposes race to race.

And my words shall prove a treasure
If ye think, in toil and pleasure,
That as ye shall justly measure,
God shall mete to you; nor cease
Till His world be wrapt in wonder,
Where the guns no more shall thunder
And the spades that dig me under
Be the symbols of His peace.





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