Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A CROSS IN FLANDERS, by GEORGE ROSTREVOR HAMILTON Poet's Biography First Line: In the face of death, they say, he joked - he had no fear Last Line: The braver for his fear! Alternate Author Name(s): Rostrevor, George Subject(s): Courage; Fear; Flanders, Belgium; World War I - Casualties; Valor; Bravery | ||||||||
IN the face of death, they say, he jokedhe had no fear; His comrades, when they laid him in a Flanders grave, Wrote on a rough-hewn crossa Calvary stood near "Without a fear he gave "His life, cheering his men, with laughter on his lips." So wrote they, mourning him. Yet was there only one Who fully understood his laughter, his gay quips, One only, she alone She who, not so long since, when love was new-confest, Herself toyed with light laughter while her eyes were dim, And jested, while with reverence despite her jest She worshipped God and him. She knewO Love, O Death!his soul had been at grips With the most solemn things. For she, was she not dear? Yes, he was brave, most brave, with laughter on his lips, The braver for his fear! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNLESS IT WAS COURAGE by MARVIN BELL THE QUALITY OF COURAGE by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ON THE OREGON COAST; FOR WILLIAM STAFFORD by ROBERT BLY WORDS WITH WALLACE STEVENS by ROBERT BLY BUFFALO CLOUDS OVER THE MAESTRO HOON by NORMAN DUBIE A SONG OF COURAGE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OH, THE WATER by DORIANNE LAUX THE CELL by GEORGE ROSTREVOR HAMILTON |
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