Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FLAG, by LUCY LARCOM Poet's Biography First Line: Let it idly droop, or sway Last Line: In undreamed-of day! Subject(s): Flags - United States; American Flag | ||||||||
LET it idly droop, or sway, To the wind's light will; Furl its stars, or float in day; Flutter, or be still! It has held its colors bright, Through the war smoke dun; Spotless emblem of the Right, Whence success was won. Let it droop in graceful rest For a passing hour -- Glory's banner, last and best; Freedom's freshest flower! Each red stripe has blazoned forth Gospels writ in blood; Every star has sung the birth Of some deathless good. Let it droop, but not too long! On the eager wind Bid it wave, to shame the wrong; To inspire mankind With a larger, human love; With a truth as true As the heaven that broods above Its deep field of blue. In the gathering hosts of hope, In the march of man, Open for it place and scope, Bid it lead the van; Till beneath the searching skies Martyr-blood be found, Purer than our sacrifice, Crying from the ground: Till a flag with some new light Out of Freedom's sky, Kindles, through the gulfs of night, Holier blazonry. Let its glow the darkness drown! Give our banner sway, Till its joyful stars go down, In undreamed-of day! | 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 |
|