Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A LASTING PEACE? by LELA BOULDIN SHEWMAKE

First Line: YOUR HANDS THAT THREW THE TORCH IN FLANDERS FIELD
Last Line: THAT WE MAY PRAY: THEY HAVE NOT DIED IN VAIN.
Subject(s): PEACE;

Your hands that threw the torch in Flanders Field;
Your bodies which lie crumbling back to dust;
Your crosses, silent emblems of the trust
That, through your sacrifice, would be revealed
To us, a path of peace, a golden shield,
A coat of armour, to protect the just
And righteous of the earth, whenever lust,
The fawning Temptress, sought to make us yield:

You are not forgotten, though the world is torn
With greed and hatred, which you died to save.
Embue us Lord, with grace, that we may pave
The way to lasting peace. Kindle again
A flame like glowing poppies in the morn
That we may pray: @3They have not died in vain@1.



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