Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


REPUBLIC TO REPUBLIC, 1776-1917 by WITTER BYNNER

Poet Analysis

First Line: FRANCE! / IT IS I ANSWERING
Last Line: O LIBERTY, MY LOVE!
Subject(s): FRANCE; WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;

FRANCE!
It is I answering.
America!
And it shall be remembered not only in our lips but in our hearts
And shall awaken forever familiar and new as the morning
That we were the first of all lands
To be lovers,
To run to each other with the incredible cry
Of recognition.
Bound by no ties of nearness or of knowledge
But of the nearness of the heart,
You chose me then --
And so I choose you now
By the same nearness --
And the name you called me then
I call you now --
O Liberty, my Love!



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