'JACK fell as he'd have wished,' the Mother said, And folded up the letter that she'd read. 'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something broke In the tired voice that quavered to a choke. She half looked up. 'We mothers are so proud Of our dead soldiers.' Then her face was bowed. Quietly the Brother Officer went out. He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies That she would nourish all her days, no doubt. For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy, Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy. He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine, Had panicked down the trench that night the mine Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried To get sent home, and how, at last, he died, Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care Except that lonely woman with white hair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LAUS INFANTIUM by WILLIAM CANTON HOLIDAY AT HAMPTON COURT by JOHN DAVIDSON A VALEDICTION: OF MY NAME IN THE WINDOW by JOHN DONNE UPON THE DEATH OF THE LORD HASTINGS by JOHN DRYDEN THE INDIAN'S WELCOME TO THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY HERO TO LEANDER by ALFRED TENNYSON OF AN ORCHARD by KATHARINE TYNAN HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 23 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |