Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FLOWER OF LIBERTY, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What flower is this that greets the morn Last Line: The starry flower of liberty! Subject(s): American Revolution; Flags - United States; Patriotism; American Flag | ||||||||
WHAT flower is this that greets the morn, Its hues from Heaven so freshly born? With burning star and flaming band It kindles all the sunset land: Oh tell us what its name may be, -- Is this the Flower of Liberty? It is the banner of the free, The starry Flower of Liberty! In savage Nature's far abode Its tender seed our fathers sowed; The storm-winds rocked its swelling bud, Its opening leaves were streaked with blood, Till lo! earth's tyrants shook to see The full-blown Flower of Liberty! Then hail the banner of the free, The starry Flower of Liberty! Behold its streaming rays unite, One mingling flood of braided light, -- The red that fires the Southern rose, With spotless white from Northern snows, And, spangled o'er its azure, see The sister Stars of Liberty! Then hail the banner of the free, The starry Flower of Liberty! The blades of heroes fence it round, Where'er it springs is holy ground; From tower and dome its glories spread; It waves where lonely sentries tread; It makes the land as ocean free, And plants an empire on the sea! Then hail the banner of the free, The starry Flower of Liberty! Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower, Shall ever float on dome and tower, To all their heavenly colors true, In blackening frost or crimson dew, -- And God love us as we love thee, Thrice holy Flower of Liberty! Then hail the banner of the free, The starry FLOWER OF LIBERTY! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLAG GOES BY by HENRY HOLCOMB BENNETT THE AMERICAN FLAG by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE THE CALL TO THE COLORS by ARTHUR GUITERMAN BETSY'S BATTLE FLAG by MINNA IRVING THE BONNIE BLUE FLAG by ANNIE CHAMBERS KETCHUM THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER by FRANCIS SCOTT KEY THE CONQUERED BANNER by ABRAM JOSEPH RYAN FANCIES AT NAVESINK: 6 by WALT WHITMAN A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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