Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT PARTING, by ABBIE CARTER GOODLOE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT PARTING, by                    
First Line: Now must we go our separate ways, beloved
Last Line: "and breathes in tranquil rapture, ""here is peace!""?"
Subject(s): Farewell; Wellesley College; World War I; Parting; First World War


NOW must we go our separate ways, Beloved.
I may not follow you 'mid shot and shell --
Whatever to this hate-racked world War means,
To women it must ever mean, "Farewell!"

Unmurmuring must we send you forth to death,
The love-locked gates of life fling open wide,
Bid you troop out -- you dear ones whom we've kept
So close and warm! -- and see you go, dry-eyed.

From out seared, silent hearts must thrust you forth
With no caress, no word, lest courage fail --
Crumble beneath the dear, familiar touch,
And love, with traitor-tenderness, prevail.

Oh, God of Battles! is there yet some land,
Some happy land, where partings have surcease?
Where unwrung heart leans to another heart,
And breathes in tranquil rapture, "Here is Peace!"?





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