Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN RETROSPECT, by ALICE E. MODES


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN RETROSPECT, by                    
First Line: Nature forgets war's hatred before long
Last Line: The futile slaughter, bankrupt spoils of war.
Subject(s): Hate; Nature; War


Nature forgets War's hatred before long,
Fills the world with theme for poet's song,
And smilingly her favors she bestows,
Tuned alike for patriots and foes.

And fields that were the slaughter-house of war,
Drenched red, now bloom a fertile green once more,
And seasons once all-steeped in grief and pain,
Assume their thrones of magic once again.

Even the earth, receiver of death's prey,
Her battered spoils for all time laid away,
Yields bud and flower, and wears a gentle guise,
While sun, and moon and stars smile in the skies.

O if but Man could tune his heart to live
Let live, have mercy and forgive --
Remember well, -- what fond hearts must abhor,
The futile slaughter, bankrupt spoils of war.





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