Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, 1914-1918: THE DEAD SPEAK, by JOHN DRINKWATER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

1914-1918: THE DEAD SPEAK, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the earth, in the seas, we remember
Last Line: That we may not forgive?
Subject(s): World War I; First World War


IN the earth, in the seas, we remember;
We dead, we are awake;
But bitterness we know not
Who died for beauty's sake;
We have no need of honour,
No quarrel we recall,
The lies, the little angers --
We have forgiven all.

In the earth, in the seas, we remember;
We dead, a myriad name;
But not among our legions
Is any word of blame;
We gave, and there an ending
Of covenants gone by,
We ask no funeral splendour
Who were content to die.

In the earth, in the seas, we remember;
We dead, your length of days;
But still the stealth of darkness
Makes one of all delays --
A year, or ten, or twenty,
How little then the cost --
Fear not, we have forgiven
The little years we lost.

In the earth, in the seas, we remember:
We dead, your daily debt;
The old heartbreak is over,
But we remember yet --
Is earth a sweeter temple
Because we let you live?
Or do you still betray us,
That we may not forgive?





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