Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHY? by MARY WOOD DALEY

First Line: PITY HIM NOT, THE SOLDIER DEAD
Last Line: THE CHALLENGE OF YOUR WHY.
Subject(s): WAR; WELLESLEY COLLEGE;
PITY him not, the soldier dead,
Pity him not who went to die
For love of adventure, or fiery zeal
In freedom's cause, not asking why.
Pity him more if his courage failed
To answer that call, to hear that cry.
But we who are left in freedom's land
Must we ask why?

Pity her not, the lone bereaved,
Pity her not, for asking why.
The progress of the world depends
Upon her aching cry.
Pity her more, if dumbly meek,
She weeps with downcast eye.
O! mothers of the world cry out
The challenge of your why.



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