Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MEMORIAL DAY 1889, by SAMUEL ELLSWORTH KISER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MEMORIAL DAY 1889, by                    
First Line: Twine laurels to lay o'er the blue and the gray
Last Line: Entwine.
Subject(s): Holidays; Memorial Day; Declaration Day


I

TWINE laurels to lay o'er the Blue and the Gray, spread wreaths where our
heroes rest;
Let the song of the North echo back from the South for the love that is truest
and best!
Twine wreaths for the tombs of our Grant and our Lee, one anthem for Jackson and
Meade.
And the flag above you is the banner for me -- one people in name and in deed!

II

Clasp hands o'er the graves where our laurelled ones lie -- clasp hands o'er the
Gray and the Blue;
To-day we are brothers and bound by a tie that the years shall but serve to
renew;
By the side of the Northman who peacefully sleeps where tropical odors are shed
A song of the South his companionship keeps -- one flag o'er the two heroes
spread.

III

Weave tokens of love for the heroes in blue, weave wreaths for the heroes in
gray;
Clasp brotherly hands o'er the graves that are new -- for the love that is ours
to-day;
A trinity given to bless, to unite -- three glorious records to keep,
And a kinship that never a grievance shall sever renewed where the brave are
asleep!

IV

Spread flowers to-day o'er the Blue and the Gray -- spread wreaths where our
heroes rest;
Let the song of the North echo back from the South for the love that is truest
and best!
Twine wreaths for the tombs of our Grant and our Lee, one hymn for your father
and mine!
Oh, the flag you adore is the banner for me and its folds our dead brothers
entwine.





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