Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


RETURN OF THE TROOPS by DOLLIE CAROLINE MAITLAND RADFORD

First Line: THE TOWN IS VERY GAY TO-DAY
Last Line: I NEITHER SPED NOR GREET.
Subject(s): HOMECOMING; SOLDIERS;

THE town is very gay to-day,
And down our busy street
Flags wave, and all the balconies
Are filled, our men to greet.

One night, not very long ago,
I heard them marching down
To where their ship lay, and the sound
So filled the silent town

With farewell voices that I wept
To know no word or deed
Of mine had stirred the sleeping night,
To bid our men God-speed.

The town is very gay to-day,
And in our busy street,
My eyes are dim with tears for those
I neither sped nor greet.





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