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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WAR DEAD, by PATRICK JOHN MCALISTER ANDERSON Poet Analysis
First Line: Always the dead seem unsuccessful
Last Line: Of those in whom we might have been justified.
Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The
First Line: Always the dead seem unsuccessful
Last Line: Of those in whom we might have been justified.
Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The
Always the dead seem unsuccessful:
as though they had spoiled their photos
they smile with second meanings into our pain:
so, after all, it was that they were after.
The day they died a mother added
another arch to her church,
now she will look
on victory as something bright, but secular.
And where in the cleanest landscape we,
hardly known to ourselves, are running
to some excitement like the centre of light—
a child has turned, a hole in his head.
The eyes where we stood are dark
and the low earth, with careful science,
begins to remove all traces
of those in whom we might have been justified.
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A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT
FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT
TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT
CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY
NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND
CAPITAL SQUARE by PATRICK JOHN MCALISTER ANDERSON