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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SONG FOR TWO VOICES, by MAURICE HENRY HEWLETT Poet's Biography
First Line: O mother, mother, isn't it fun
Last Line: Sin and shame, sin and shame.
Subject(s): Grief; Mothers & Sons; Soldiers; War; Sorrow; Sadness
First Line: O mother, mother, isn't it fun
Last Line: Sin and shame, sin and shame.
Subject(s): Grief; Mothers & Sons; Soldiers; War; Sorrow; Sadness
O mother, mother, isn't it fun,
The soldiers marching past in the sun?
Child, child, what are you saying?
Come to church. We should be praying.
Look, mother, at their bright spears!
The leaves are falling like women's tears.
You are not looking at what I see.
Nay, but I look at what must be.
Hark to the pipes! See the flag flying!
I hear the sound of a girl crying.
How many hundreds before they are done!
How many mothers wanting a son!
Here rides the general, pacing slow!
Well he may, if he knows what I know!
O, this war, what a glorious game!
Sin and shame, sin and shame.
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AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS by JOHN HOLLANDER
WHAT GREAT GRIEF HAS MADE THE EMPRESS MUTE by JUNE JORDAN
CHAMBER MUSIC: 19 by JAMES JOYCE
DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS
IN THE TRENCHES by MAURICE HENRY HEWLETT