Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SOLDIER-DEAD, by GILBERT" "EMERY [PSEUD.]


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SOLDIER-DEAD, by                    
First Line: O beautiful young dead!
Last Line: O beautiful young dead
Alternate Author Name(s): "emery, Gilbert;
Subject(s): Death;soldiers;war; "dead, The;


O Beautiful Young Dead!

Still, still I see them pass,
So gallant and so young, so gay,
Down their bright, terrible and unpremeditated way.
Still, still I see them pass,
Laughter and lightness on their lips—
Each lad a battle-flag that breaks and dips
In morning wind
Full with the Spring and sun and sea and upper hills.
Good lads, clean, strong and straight;
For soon or late
I think Lord Christ forgave them all the sins they'd sinned.
Still, still they pass;
Their beat of marching feet along the street still thrills
In the heart-breaking music. ...

Now rest they, well beyond life's need.
Nor lonely eyes;
Nor any voice; nor stars; nor deeps nor hills
Shall call and they give heed.
The homely light that fills
An evening window; children with happy hands;
Dear women soft and warm
To hold and shelter from the night and storm;
All the familiar dream which lies
Within familiar ken of the bright lands
Of youth—denied.
Lord Christ, be merciful to those that died!

Still breaks the Spring
And still the orchards bloom;
The twilight valleys flow again
With tranquil tides of blue;
Belovèd birds up-wing
Shrill singing. ...
Nights are sweet with rain
And the wet fragrance of sown fields;
Lilacs and sunny morning at the open door. ...
And Love. ...
So the strong loom
Of earth weaves mercifully and new,
And men beget what death shall claim once more.

O Beautiful Young Dead!





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