Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MILITARISM, by DERRICK NORMAN LEHMER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MILITARISM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Like molten lava down the mountain steep
Last Line: With nineveh, with tyre and babylon.
Subject(s): Army - United States; Army Life; Militarism; War; Drills & Minor Tactics


Like molten lava down the mountain steep
I poured my myriad armies on their land;
I reaped their fertile fields with flaming brand;
I trod their cities to a smoking heap.
Bleating before me like a flock of sheep
Harried by wolves, a timid wailing band,
I drove their villagers with iron hand;
Laughed at their tears, laughed at their curses deep.

And now defeated, desolate I stand
Lone in the desert. All about me sweep
The ghostly winds. My place is in the sun—
But where are all my armies? Soon the sand
Will sink me in oblivion. I shall sleep
With Nineveh, with Tyre and Babylon.





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