Six hundred years have passed since Bacon taught That some day man, through conquered air, would fly. Four centuries ago Da Vinci caught The gleam, and pictured ships to cleave the sky. Men's minds have soared, at oneness with the birds, These countless years, some heaven to attain; But in the end have found, O bitter words, In all the sky's immensity, no gain. While bombs are whining through the shattered sky No birds can sing. The shadow and the shroud Hang dark above the shambles of Shanghai Where pestilence came raining from a cloud. The dreamers of the past, unwittingly, Increased the sum of human misery. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAMENTATION OF GLUMDALCLITCH FOR THE LOSS OF GRILDRIG by ALEXANDER POPE THE WANING MOON by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY A MAY NIGHT by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS SPANISH WINGS: A LEAF FROM A LOG BOOK by H. BABCOCK TO THE MOONFLOWER by CRAVEN LANGSTROTH BETTS PSALM 140 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |