Classic and Contemporary Poetry
YOUR LAD, AND MY LAD, by RANDALL PARRISH Poet's Biography First Line: Down toward the deep-blue water, marching to throb of Last Line: As your dear lad, and my dear lad, go on their way to france. Subject(s): Army - United States; World War I; First World War | ||||||||
DOWN toward the deep-blue water, marching to throb of drum, From city street and country lane the lines of khaki come; The rumbling guns, the sturdy tread, are full of grim appeal, While rays of western sunshine flash back from burnished steel. With eager eyes and cheeks aflame the serried ranks advance; And your dear lad, and my dear lad, are on their way to France. A sob clings choking in the throat, as file on file sweep by, Between those cheering multitudes, to where the great ships lie; The batteries halt, the columns wheel, to clear-toned bugle-call, With shoulders squared and faces front they stand a khaki wall. Tears shine on every watcher's cheek, love speaks in every glance; For your dear lad, and my dear lad, are on their way to France. Before them, through a mist of years, in soldier buff or blue, Brave comrades from a thousand fields watch now in proud review; The same old Flag, the same old Faith -- the Freedom of the World -- Spells Duty in those flapping folds above long ranks unfurled. Strong are the hearts which bear along Democracy's advance, As your dear lad, and my dear lad, go on their way to France. The word rings out; a million feet tramp forward on the road, Along that path of sacrifice o'er which their fathers strode. With eager eyes and cheeks aflame, with cheers on smiling lips, These fighting men of '17 move onward to their ships. Nor even love may hold them back, or halt that stern advance, As your dear lad, and my dear lad, go on their way to France. | 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 SPRING'S NEBRASKA by KAREN SWENSON |
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