Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BIER OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER, by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER Poet's Biography First Line: When first the blackthorn blossomed, thou wast brave Last Line: They longed to press each other, palm to palm. Subject(s): War | ||||||||
When first the blackthorn blossomed, thou wast brave And strong, but April left thee faint and sick; The May-wasp dipt into thine open grave, And struck the velvets of thy hearse - so quick Thy summons came. Disease and languor stole The pulses of thy young heroic hands; But thou didst ever bow to Heaven's commands, And so the act of dying made thy soul An instant guest in Paradise! How calm And still lay those brave hands, which ever yearned For prayer, yet never from the combat turned! Though sundered for dispatch of martial deeds, Each with its weapon, serving fiery needs, They longed to press each other, palm to palm. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I AM YOUR WAITER TONIGHT AND MY NAME IS DIMITRI by ROBERT HASS MITRAILLIATRICE by ERNEST HEMINGWAY RIPARTO D'ASSALTO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY WAR VOYEURS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA THE DREAM OF WAKING by RANDALL JARRELL THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SO MANY BLOOD-LAKES by ROBINSON JEFFERS HER FIRST-BORN by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER |
|