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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SUMMER IN ENGLAND, 1914, by ALICE MEYNELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On london fell a clearer light Last Line: The very kiss of christ. Alternate Author Name(s): Meynell, Wilfrid, Mrs.; Thompson, Alice Christina Subject(s): Women; World War I; First World War | |||
ON London fell a clearer light; Caressing pencils of the sun Defined the distances, the white Houses transfigured one by one, The "long, unlovely street" impearled. O what a sky has walked the world! Most happy year! And out of town The hay was prosperous, and the wheat; The silken harvest climbed the down: Moon after moon was heavenly-sweet Stroking the bread within the sheaves, Looking 'twixt apples and their leaves. And while this rose made round her cup, The armies died convulsed. And when This chaste young silver sun went up Softly, a thousand shattered men, One wet corruption, heaped the plain, After a league-long throb of pain. Flower following tender flower; and birds, And berries; and benignant skies Made thrive the serried flocks and herds. -- Yonder are men shot through the eyes. Love, hide thy face From man's unpardonable race. Who said "No man hath greater love than this, To die to serve his friend"? So these have loved us all unto the end. Chide thou no more, O thou unsacrificed! The soldier dying dies upon a kiss, The very kiss of Christ. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN I AM THE WAY' by ALICE MEYNELL |
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