Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MANY SISTERS TO MANY BROTHERS, by EMILIE ROSE MACAULAY First Line: When we fought campaigns (in the long christmas rains) Last Line: But for me . . . A war is poor fun. Alternate Author Name(s): Macaulay, Rose Subject(s): War - Home Front | ||||||||
WHEN we fought campaigns (in the long Christmas rains) With soldiers spread in troops on the floor, I shot as straight as you, my losses were as few, My victories as many, or more. And when in naval battle, amid cannon's rattle, Fleet met fleet in the bath, My cruisers were as trim, my battleships as grim, My submarines cut as swift a path. Or, when it rained too long, and the strength of the strong Surged up and broke a way with blows, I was as fit and keen, my fists hit as clean, Your black eye matched my bleeding nose. Was there a scrap or ploy in which you, the boy, Could better me? You could not climb higher, Ride straighter, run as quick (and to smoke made you sick) . . . But I sit here, and you're under fire. Oh, it's you that have the luck, out there in blood and muck: You were born beneath a kindly star; All we dreamt, I and you, you can really go and do, And I can't, the way things are. In a trench you are sitting, while I am knitting A hopeless sock that never gets done. Well, here's luck, my dear; -- and you've got it, no fear; But for me . . . a war is poor fun. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...QUEEN STREET WEST by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS POEM FOR A SOLDIER'S GIRL by JOHN CIARDI EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: A DEAD STATESMAN by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: BATTERIES OUT OF AMMUNITION by RUDYARD KIPLING THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS' by SARA TEASDALE TO THE GIRL WHO HELPED IN THE WAR by JOSEPHINE DODGE DASKAM BACON THE DEBT UNPAYABLE by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON TO OUR GIRLS by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR RECOVERY by EMILIE ROSE MACAULAY |
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