ACROSS my window blow the splendid folds Of the great flag hung out for Victory And Peace. They gleam through traceries of vine And struggling plants, cherished through four grim years For comfort, now in blossom. Everything I see between the flutterings of the flag; The unimportant doings in the street, The homely houses opposite, the folk Carelessly passing; and the flight of doves -- Peace doves -- along a narrow strip of sky. I see them glorified by red and white, Under a blessed hidden field of stars. And when I turn away to read or write, My eyes are dazzled still by vivid flashes, Caught from the floating colors. No escape From thoughts of death heroic, life trium-phant! The room is full of red and white reflections. The very picture-glasses are aglow With patriotic fervor, not content To be mere shields for ancient, precious things -- Precious for being ancient; they would share The pride of present effort. Even shy prisms Hung in old candelabra flush and pale Alternately, with tremulous, caught emotion. O Flag of sacrifice and chivalry, Never before so dear! Your holy red Dyed with the blood of hero-friends; your white Clear like their vision; and your starry field Steadfast with life devotion! Not again, I think, shall I look out upon the world But through the folds of your eternal glory. Flash your fair challenge still across my window, Flag of my Country! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARTHY VIRGINIA'S HAND [SEPTEMBER 17, 1862] by GEORGE PARSONS LATHROP ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE: THE POWER OF MUSIC by SAMUEL LISLE ON THE HOME GUARDS; WHO PERISHED ... LEXINGTON, MISSOURI by HERMAN MELVILLE THE OLD MAN AND JIM by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE NEW SIRENS: A PALINODE by MATTHEW ARNOLD |