Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, by BILLY ROSE First Line: There's a graveyard near the white house Last Line: "I'd do it all over again." Alternate Author Name(s): Rosenberg, William Samuel Subject(s): Patriotism | ||||||||
THERE'S A GRAVEYARD near the White House Where the Unknown Soldier lies, And the flowers there are sprinkled With the tears from mother's eyes. I stood there not so long ago With roses for the brave, And suddenly I heard a voice Speak from out the grave: "I am the Unknown Soldier," The spirit voice began, "And I think I have the right To ask some questions man to man. "Are my buddies taken care of? Was their victory so sweet? Is that big reward you offered Selling pencils on the street? "Did they really win the freedom They battled to achieve? Do you still respect that Croix de Guerre Above that empty sleeve? "Does a gold star in the window Now mean anything at all? I wonder how my old girl feels When she hears a bugle call. "And that baby who sang 'Hello, Central, give me no man's land' -- Can they replace her daddy With a military band? "I wonder if the profiteers Have satisfied their greed? I wonder if a soldier's mother Ever is in need? "I wonder if the kings, who planned it all Are really satisfied? They played their game of checkers And eleven million died. "I am the Unknown Soldier And maybe I died in vain, But if I were alive and my country called, I'd do it all over again." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHINE, REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS SEVEN LAMENTS FOR THE WAR-DEAD: 6 by YEHUDA AMICHAI A CAROL FOR THE NEW YEAR by EDWIN MARKHAM A SONG OF VICTORY by EDWIN MARKHAM BROTHERHOOD (1) by EDWIN MARKHAM THE ERRAND IMPERIOUS by EDWIN MARKHAM TO EMILIE BIGELOW HAPGOOD - PHILANTHROPIST by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |
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