Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PERSHING AT THE TOMB OF LAFAYETTE, by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR First Line: They knew they were fighting our war Last Line: "only this -- ah, but france understood! ""lafayette, we are here!" Subject(s): Lafayette, Marie Joseph, Marquis De; Pershing, John J. (1860-1948); World War I; First World War | ||||||||
THEY knew they were fighting our war. As the months grew to years Their men and their women had watched through their blood and their tears For a sign that we knew, we who could not have come to be free Without France, long ago. And at last from the threatening sea The stars of our strength on the eyes of their weariness rose, And he stood among them, the sorrow-strong hero we chose To carry our flag to the tomb of that Frenchman whose name A man of our country could once more pronounce without shame. What crown of rich words would he set for all time on this day? The past and the future were listening what he would say -- Only this, from the white-flaming heart of a passion austere, Only this -- ah, but France understood! "Lafayette, we are here!" | 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 A LYNMOUTH WIDOW by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR |
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