Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SCRAP IRON FOR THE YEN MARU, by BLANCHE DEGOOD LOFTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SCRAP IRON FOR THE YEN MARU, by                    
First Line: Scrap-iron! Tons of twisted scrap-iron
Last Line: Scrap-iron ... For the yen maru.
Subject(s): Japan; Japanese


Scrap-iron! Tons of twisted scrap-iron! --
Writhing, ugly, rust-red tangle --
Destined for Japan, for shrapnel ...
Loading, on the Yen Maru!
Standing on the bridge, we watch them --
Modern cranes and gear for loading ...
Scrap-iron, soon to feed the guns
That slaughter Chinese Mothers' sons!

From the river-towns, in barges,
From our city streets, by junk-men:
Rusted stoves and twisted fenders,
Broken wheels -- a baby carriage! ...

Scrap-iron, in a moving tangle, --
With one purpose -- sent to mangle
Mothers' sons across the waters!
(Mothers, scorning puny daughters.)

Little mothers of Japan,
Working in swift relays, can
(And their War-lord says they must)
Clear the hold of scrap-iron-rust ...

Plough-shares, beaten to a sword! --
Mercy on their souls, oh Lord!
Scrap-iron, in a rust-red tangle! --
Manhood, in a flesh-blood mangle!

Scrap-iron, waiting on the dock!
(God forgive us!) You but mock
All our boast that "Wars must cease!" --
Re-crucify the Prince of Peace! ...

From the river-towns, in barges,
From our city-streets, by junk-men --
Penny-sales, by me, and you! --
Writhing, ugly, rust-red tangle,
Destined for Japan, for shrapnel ...
Loading, on the Yen Maru!
Standing by, we watch the loading ...
Scrap-iron ... for the Yen Maru.





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