"I hold no cause worth my son's life," one said— And the two women with her as she spoke Joined glances in a hush that neither broke, So present was the memory of their dead. And through their meeting eyes their souls drew near, Linked by their sons, men who had held life dear But laid it down for something dearer still. One had wrought out with patient iron will The riddle of a pestilence, and won, Fighting on stricken, till his work was done For children of tomorrow. Far away In shell-torn soil of France the other lay, And in the letter that his mother read Over and over, kneeling as to pray— "I'm thanking God with all my heart today, Whatever comes" (that was the day he died) "I've done my bit to clear the road ahead." In those two mothers, common pain of loss Blossomed in starry flowers of holy pride, What thoughts were hers who silent stood beside Her son the dreamer's cross? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HITS AND RUNS by CARL SANDBURG WRITTEN AFTER SWIMMING FROM SESTOS TO ABYDOS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SONG: 4 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS GARDEN DAYS: 3. THE FLOWERS by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON HAMPTON BEACH by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER FOOTLIGHT MOTIFS: 2. PHOEBE FOSTER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |