GAY flags flying down the street; Comes the drum's insistent beat Like a fierce, gigantic pulse, And the screaming fife exults. Soldier, soldier, spic and span, Aren't you the lucky man; Splendid in your gold and blue— How the small boy envies you! Oh, there's glory for you here— Girls to smile and men to cheer; Bands behind and bands before Thrilling with the lust of War. Soldier, soldier, proud as though Marching to a sanguine foe, Bravely would you face the brink Fired with music, and with drink... Stalwart warrior pass, and be Glad you are not such as we— We, who, without flags or drums, March to battle in the slums. Regiments of workers—we Are a foolish soldiery, Combating, till we convert, Ignorance, disease and dirt... Soldier, soldier, look—and then Laugh at us poor fighting-men, Struggling on, though every street Is the scene of our defeat. Laugh at us, who, day by day Come back beaten from the fray; We, who find our work undone— We, whose wars are never won. @3Gay flags flying down the street; Comes the drum's insistent beat Like a fierce, gigantic pulse— And the screaming fife exults!@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FACADE: 2. THE BAT by EDITH SITWELL GONE by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE THE COASTERS by THOMAS FLEMING DAY PORTRAIT BY A NEIGHBOR by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY PSALM 137 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE DIGNITY OF LABOR by LEVI BISHOP |