Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WAR SEQUENCE: ARMIES WITH MASKS, by RENA CAREY SHEFFIELD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WAR SEQUENCE: ARMIES WITH MASKS, by                    
First Line: No longer does the mighty god of war
Last Line: These are your sons betrayed, not swine of mars!
Subject(s): War


No longer does the mighty god of war
In glittering armor and bright helmet stand:
A dark, misshapen thing -- one to abhor,
With blunted snout of swine is in command.
His eyes unseen, through empty sockets stare --
Grotesque the mask that makes him less than beast,
This strange and ominous thing in trench and air
Where bidden brave come to the Martian feast.

Yet, underneath each hideous mask youth lies
With eager eyes behind the vacant stare,
And dreams that like the morning lark arise
Beating their wings against the poisoned air.
Unmask them, God, and heal their many scars:
These are your sons betrayed, not swine of Mars!





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