Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VICARIOUS ATONEMENT, by RICHARD ALDINGTON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There is an old and very cruel god Last Line: This bitter cup from us. Subject(s): Death; Goddesses & Gods; Military; Mythology; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The | ||||||||
There is an old and very cruel god We will endure; We will try not to wince When he crushes and rends us. If indeed it is for your sakes, If we perish or moan in torture, Or stagger under sordid burdens That you may live Then we can endure. If our wasted blood Makes bright the page Of poets yet to be; If this our tortured life Saved from destruction's nails Gold words of a Greek long dead; Then we can endure, Then hope, Then watch the sun rise Without utter bitterness. But, O thou old and very cruel god, Take if thou canst, This bitter cup from us. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND AFTER TWO YEARS by RICHARD ALDINGTON |
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