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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WOODROW WILSON - 1856-1924, by MARGUERITE MOOERS MARSHALL First Line: The chill of no man's land had touched his lips Last Line: "one conqueror's work""—said harden—""wilson's thought." Subject(s): Pacifism; Peace; Praise; Presidents, United States; War; Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924); Peace Movements | |||
The chill of No Man's Land had touched his lips They shaped the phrase his simplest soldiers knew, And "I am ready," Wilson said. So sips One who accepts the cup, whate'er the brew. Not his that hell-broth Europe stirred and quaffed; He must have prayed, "Take Thou this cup from me!" And yet he drained it—else a world had laughed To scorn its hope and faith: democracy. He served and saved the faith; his banner bore A strange device, Idealist, alone He thought and fought when others thrust no more Against unthinking, selfish ranks—their own! He fought for victory ... he fell for peace. For brotherhood that would not fight again. He asked a suffering world to choose release From sick and spiteful hates of men for men. And we denied him. He was ready, still, To take defeat and broken body away; To hold calm purpose he might not fulfil— The clear white mind burned on. It burns to-day! An enemy once framed a verdict sure, That all his meaning and its greatness caught "Only one conqueror's work will long endure— One conqueror's work"—said Harden—"Wilson's thought." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DISTANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV THE PACIFIST; EPIGRAM by HILAIRE BELLOC PLANKED WHITEFISH by CARL SANDBURG TO A PACIFIST FRIEND by GEORGE SANTAYANA BREAKING COVER by ELAINE TERRANOVA TO A CERTAIN VERY UGLY BUILDING: THE ARMORY by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS THE OLD MEN AND THE YOUNG MEN by WITTER BYNNER THE LAMENT OF THE VOICELESS by LAURA BELL EVERETT GHOSTS by MARGUERITE MOOERS MARSHALL |
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