Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FESTUBERT SHRINE, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A sycamore on either side Last Line: We are no less poor than they. Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Prayer; Women In The Bible; World War I; Virgin Mary; First World War | ||||||||
A SYCAMORE on either side In whose lovely leafage cried Hushingly the little winds -- Thus was Mary's shrine descried. "Sixteen Hundred and Twenty-Four" Legended above the door, "Pray, sweet gracious Lady, pray For our souls," -- and nothing more. Builded of rude gray stones and these Scarred and marred from base to frieze With the shrapnel's pounces -- ah, Fair she braved War's gaunt disease: Fair she pondered on the strange Embitterments of latter change, Looking fair towards Festubert, Cloven roof and tortured grange. Work of carving too there was, (Once had been her reredos), In this cool and peaceful cell That the hoarse guns blared across. Twisted oaken pillars graced With oaken amaranths interlaced In oaken garlandry, had borne Her holy niche -- and now laid waste. Mary, pray for us? O pray! In thy dwelling by this way What poor folks have knelt to thee! We are no less poor than they. | 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 ALMSWOMEN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |
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