Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LAST NIGHT, by KATHARINE TYNAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAST NIGHT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Was it last summer, just last year
Last Line: And the new year, love, the new year!
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Homecoming; Memory; Past; Peace; Time; War


WAS it last Summer, just last year,
Or many and many a year ago,
Our hearts went shadowed by that fear?
Now Time and Space are darkened so
It might be fifty years since then,
And, Love, our boys are home again.

So long since we two bore that strain
And shook for what the day might bring!
And now our boys are home again,
'Scaped from the bitter and dreadful thing,
You will not turn, Love, to rejoice,
Even for the boys, Love, the safe boys!

So long, Love, since you went away,
And yet the laggard year's not spent!
Our boys are here, Love, brave and gay;
It is so long, Love, since you went.
If but this year were gone, who knows
What flower of hope might bud, what rose?

Only last year! So wide, so deep
The river runs 'twixt now and then.
Here is the feast of joy to keep,
Since, Love, the boys are home again.
But, dim in darkness lies last year
And the New Year, Love, the New Year!





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