Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SEW THE FLAGS TOGETHER by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY

Poet Analysis

First Line: GREAT WAVE OF YOUTH, ERE YOU BE SPENT
Last Line: THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE, ASIA AND THE WORLD.
Subject(s): PATRIOTISM; PEACE;
Great wave of youth, ere you be spent
Sweep over every monument
Of caste, smash every high imperial wall
That stands against the new World State,
And overwhelm each ravening hate,
And heal and make blood-brothers of us all.
Nor let your clamor cease
Till ballots conquer guns.
Drum on for the world's peace
Till the Tory power is gone.
Envenomed lame old age
Is not our heritage,
But Springtime's vast release, and flaming dawn.

Peasants, rise in splendor
And your accounting render,
Ere the lords unnerve your hand!
Sew the flags together.
Do not tear them down.
Hurl the worlds together.
Dethrone the wallowing monster
And the clown.
Resolving only that shall grow
In Balkan furrow, Chinese row,
That blooms, and is perpetually young,
That only be held fine and dear
That brings heart-wisdom year by year
And puts this thrilling word upon the tongue:
"The United States of Europe, Asia and the World."

"Youth will be served," now let us cry.
Hurl the referendum.
Your fathers, five long years ago,
Resolved to strike, too late.
Now
Sun-crowned crowds
Innumerable
Of boys and girls
Imperial,
With your patchwork flag of brotherhood
On high,
With every silk
In one flower-banner whirled,—
Rise,
Citizens of one tremendous state,
The United States of Europe, Asia and the World.

The dawn is rose-dressed and impearled.
The guards of privilege are spent.
The blood-fed captains nod.
So Saxon, Slav, French, German,
Rise,
Yankee, Chinese, Japanese,
All the lands, all the seas,
With blazing rainbow flag unfurled,
Rise,
Rise,
Take the sick dragons by surprise,
Highly establish,
In the name of God,
The United States of Europe, Asia and the World.



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