Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOMES, AFTER THE WAR, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOMES, AFTER THE WAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the battles, the frenzy, the dread
Last Line: As we welcome our heroes home.
Subject(s): Homecoming; World War I; First World War


In the battles, the frenzy, the dread
Of this ineffable year,
In this blur of the living and dead,
One word is unfailingly clear:
One word through the anguish of night
Gleams far in the heavenly dome,
'Mid the shells in their horrible flight,
The dear, shining letters of "Home."

"Home! Home!" in the trench and the mud
How maddening sweet is the sound!
"Home! Home!" where a tempest of blood
Beats hot on the desolate ground!
What longings, what hope and despair
From the field or the hospital roam
To that fairest of all that is fair,
The dear waiting doorway of home!

And we who incessantly pray
And out to the battle-fields yearn,
Ah, let us make ready the day
When our heroes shall proudly return;
The homes they are fighting to save,
Let us clean them without and within

From the foulness of traitor and knave,
The last rotting remnant of sin.

Let the windows be shining and pure,
Let the walls be sturdily strong,
And all of the mansion secure
From the threat of insidious wrong.
Let the blossoms of brotherhood spring
From the heart of the jubilant loam,
And the bells of all heaven shall ring
As we welcome our heroes home.





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