Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BROOK THAT RUNS TO FRANCE, by JOHN CLAIR MINOT First Line: The brook that threads the meadow Last Line: Three thousand miles, and more! Subject(s): Brooks; Streams; Creeks | ||||||||
The brook that threads the meadow Was rippling in the sun, And close beside it in their play I saw the children run. "Where goes the brook, my brother?" The little maiden cried. "It seeks the river first," he said, "And then the ocean wide." "And when it finds the ocean, Where do its waters go?" "To distant shores and round the world, Wherever tides may flow." The little maiden pondered: "Oh, is there any chance Our little brook will cross the sea, And touch the shores of France?" "Who knows?" the brother answered. "The waters travel far; It may be that our brook will flow To where the battles are." Then spake the little maiden: "Upon Memorial Day We love to gather all the flowers That blossom in the May; "We take them to the churchyard, And place them there above The graves of gallant men who fought Beneath the flag we love. "I have a plan, my brother" -- Her bright eyes met his glance: "We'll ask the brook to bear our flowers To those who are in France!" They gathered from the hillside The purple lilac spray; They plucked the little violets That grew beside the way. And then into the waters They cast them one by one -- The waters of the meadow brook That sparkled in the sun. "Oh, take the flowers we offer," I heard the children say, "And bear them with our love to France, Three thousand miles away!" The brook went rippling onward, The blossoms on its tide, To seek afar the river first And then the ocean wide. I know not where the waters The love-sent blossoms bore; But this I know -- their fragrance spread Three thousand miles, and more! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN THE BROOK by ROBERT FROST A CLEARING BY A STREAM by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER STREAM by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER THE ASPEN AND THE STREAM by RICHARD WILBUR WEST RUNNING BROOK by ROBERT FROST BIRCH STREAM by ANNA BOYNTON AVERILL THE VALLEY BROOK by JOHN HOWARD BRYANT A LITTLE PARABLE by JOHN CLAIR MINOT |
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