Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VALLEY OF THE SHADOW by JOHN GALSWORTHY

First Line: GOD, I AM TRAVELLING OUT TO DEATH'S SEA
Last Line: PEACE O'ER THE VALLEYS AND COLD HILLS FOR EVER!
Subject(s): RELIGION; WORLD WAR I - CASUALTIES; THEOLOGY;

GOD, I am travelling out to death's sea,
I who exulted in sunshine and laughter,
Dreamed not of dying -- death is such waste of me! --
Grant me one prayer: Doom not the hereafter
Of mankind to war, as though I had died not --
I who, in battle, my comrade's arm linking,
Shouted and sang, life in my pulses hot
Throbbing and dancing! Let not my sinking
In dark be for naught, my death a vain thing!
God, let me know it the end of man's fever!
Make my last breath a bugle call, carrying
Peace o'er the valleys and cold hills for ever!



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