Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HERO, by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HERO, by                    
First Line: They asked him for his story, when he came
Last Line: And it was well worth while.
Subject(s): Heroism; Heroes; Heroines


THEY asked him for his story, when he came
Battered and glorious from the floating hell
Where he had wrung his victory from death.
But he, the hero, had no tale to tell --
Simply he gave them answer, with a smile
That made them flinch and take a quicker breath --
"I only know we worked in sweat and flame
"And it was well worth while."

SO you shall stand some day, amazed and faint
Among the wondering angels, file on file
Of beautiful bright faces, all ablaze
With your achievement, vivid with your praise,
Asking of you, their bleeding warrior-saint,
Your own triumphant tale of battle won.
And you, who knew not all that you had done,
Shall gaze bewildered on them, reeling yet
From those long years of mortal weariness.
No hope of this upheld you in the stress --
You only knew you wrought in blood and sweat,
And it was well worth while.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net