Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHOICE, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: This consul casement - he who heard the cry Last Line: And banshee cries upon far irish hills. Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement Subject(s): Casement, Roger David (1864-1916); Ireland; Irish | ||||||||
THIS Consul Casement he who heard the cry Of stricken people and who in his fight To lift the torture load from broken men, And shield sad women from eternal night, Went through lone, hot, and fevered foreign lands. For doomèd Casement, slaves that he raised up Pray with strong voices, so a wide world hears. Men saved from anguish, women saved from shame, He dried your children's tears! He gave you life for him lift pleading hands. Sir Roger Casement, honoured for his years Of stress and struggle, of fatigue and work, What is the claim of his frail human needs For arduous hours he did not shun nor shirk, A King's reward, a royal friendliness! For honoured Casement titles and renown, A future great with promise, all life's page Writ in gold letters, and a path so soft One could not hear the coming of old age To point an honoured tomb that nations bless. Ah! Irish Casement, in the roar of war That stung his blood and whipped his manhood's fire. What did he hear upon red shaken earth, Where little nations struggle and expire? Some banshee cry upon the hot wind thrills! And Roger Casement he who freed the slave, Made sad babes smile and tortured women hope, Flung all aside, King's honours and great years, To take for finis here a hempen rope, And banshee cries upon far Irish hills. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SIGHTSEERS by PAUL MULDOON THE DREAM SONGS: 290 by JOHN BERRYMAN AN IRISH HEADLAND by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GIANT'S RING: BALLYLESSON, NEAR BELFAST by ROBINSON JEFFERS IRELAND; WRITTEN FOR THE ART AUTOGRAPH DURING IRISH FAMINE by SIDNEY LANIER THE EYES ARE ALWAYS BROWN by GERALD STERN THE WIND ON THE HILLS by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER |
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