Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A KISS, by BERNARD FREEMAN TROTTER First Line: She kissed me when she said goodbye Last Line: Good-bye. Subject(s): Farewell; Kisses; Soldiers' Writings; World War I; Parting; First World War | ||||||||
SHE kissed me when she said good-bye A child's kiss, neither bold nor shy. We had met but a few short summer hours; Talked of the sun, the wind, the flowers, Sports and people; had rambled through A casual catchy song or two, And walked with arms linked to the car By the light of a single misty star. (It was war-time, you see, and the streets were dark Lest the ravishing Hun should find a mark.) And so we turned to say good-bye; But somehow or other, I don't know why, Perhaps 't was the feel of the khaki coat (She'd a brother in Flanders then) that smote Her heart to a sudden tenderness Which issued in that swift caress Somehow, to her, at any rate A mere hand-clasp seemed inadequate; And so she lifted her dewy face And kissed mebut without a trace Of passion,and we said good-bye ... A child's kiss, ... neither bold nor shy. My friend, I like youit seemed to say Here's to our meeting again some day! Some happier day ... Good-bye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE POPLARS by BERNARD FREEMAN TROTTER |
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