Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RELICS, by HELEN PEAVY WASHBURN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RELICS, by                    
First Line: To say / don't cry. Your father doesn't mean it
Last Line: These things are war, long after war is done.
Subject(s): Soldiers


To say,
Don't cry. Your father doesn't mean it when
He scolds. We have to remember, always we have to remember.
For he --
He's not to blame that he can't see;

To say,
Isn't it lucky the government taught him a new trade?
Oh, yes, we live quite nicely now.
We get along.
It's wonderful, isn't it, how much work a man can still do
Without his legs?

To say,
I don't seem to know you any more
Since you've come back.
You act so strange.
You go
Off to some ghastly distant place where I can't follow you
At all;
Can't find you
Ever;

To set the plates for supper,
Then to know
That you have one plate too many;
To go
Slowly, and put it back;

These things are war, long after war is done.





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