Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ADDED STARTER, by WILLIAM A. PHELON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ADDED STARTER, by                    
First Line: They're lining up at the starting point, they're
Last Line: The yankee horse looks 'round and sees—the kaiser's mount fall dead.
Subject(s): Germany; United States; War; World War I; Germans; America; First World War


THEY'RE lining up at the starting point, they're ready for the race,
But the starter is a thieving thug, and he gives the inside place,
The shortest route to Germany, with a crooked start besides—
The devil is the starter, and Old Kaiser Wilhelm rides.
Down drops the barrier—they're off, but not in a bunch—
The crooked starter gives his pet, the German horse, a hunch;
Foul riding, whip and spur, he flies like flames in a plundered town—
The good horse France is pocketed and Belgium is down.
Haig's riding brings Great Britain close, but oh, the treacherous start—
The thieving German rider got it—keeps them heads apart.
A shaggy pony, Russia, falls at the half-mile post,
While Austria, spurred madly on, comes like a lean gray ghost.
(The self-same shady stable that feeds the German beast
Gives stall-room, too, to Austria, the plater of the feast.)
A plucky dark horse, Italy, tries with a desperate dash,
But falters in the furious rush and stumbles with a crash,
The breathless world stands half-stunned now—they're coming down the
stretch.
What chance remains for any horse to pass the German wretch?
A cloud of dust—a drum of hoofs—a wild rush from the rear,
The Kaiser turns a startled head and sees a foe draw near;
The colors are RED, WHITE and BLUE—an EAGLE on the breast—
An added starter—who is this? A rider from the WEST.
The Kaiser whips his reeling horse—in vain; with sprig of fire
The added starter dashes through and nips him at the wire;
And as they pass the judges' stand—a winner by a head,
The Yankee horse looks 'round and sees—the Kaiser's mount fall dead.





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