The Unknown Soldier
by Angela Morgan
He is known to the sun-white Majesties
Who stand at the gates of dawn.
He is known to the cloud-borne company
Whose souls but late have gone.
Like wind-flung stars through lattice bars
They throng to greet their own,
With voice of flame they sound his name
Who died to us unknown.
He is hailed by the time-crowned brotherhood,
By the Dauntless of Marathon,
By Raymond, Godfrey and Lion Heart
Whose dreams he carried on.
His name they call through the heavenly hall
Unheard by earthly ear,
He is claimed by the famed in Arcady
Who knew no title here.
Oh faint was the lamp of Sirius
And dim was the Milky Way.
Oh far was the floor of Paradise
From the soil where the soldier lay.
Oh chill and stark was the crimson dark
Where huddled men lay deep;
His comrades all denied his call
Long had they lain in sleep.
Oh strange how the lamp of Sirius
Drops low to the dazzled eyes,
Oh strange how the steel-red battlefields
Are floors of Paradise.
Oh strange how the ground with never a sound
Swings open, tier on tier,
And standing there in the shining air
Are the friends he cherished here.
They are known to the sun-shod sentinels
Who circle the morning's door,
They are led by a cloud-bright company
Through paths unseen before.
Like blossoms blown, their souls have flown
Past war and reeking sod,
In the book unbound their names are found
They are known in the courts of God!
Chad, I liked how you chose a poem about the "unknown soldier" in war. They are a forgotten topic, but your poem focuses on them and gives them a sense of power and importance that they deserve. The imagery is very strong in this poem!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Emil "pRose"
I really enjoyed the rhyme scheme, and also, especially how the soldier is not necessarily identified and is more relate-able (apparently relateable isn't a word) to a larger audience. I feel like this could be taken as a controversial poem, as its about war and Heaven. That could offend both hippies and atheists alike. Disregarding all controversies, it's a beautiful poem, and only serves to make me wonder what life after death is like.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great poem to represent your theme because some people think about war as good with defending your country and everything but this really represents the ugly which is death. I was wondering if this relates to the tomb of the unknown soldier buried in Ottawa?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this poem. Although I do not usually enjoy reading poems about war- this one was beautifuly written, timeless. I like how this poem is translatable to basically anyone dying unnoticed, not nessiceraly a soldier. I loved the line "like blossoms flown their souls have flown" a great comparison.
ReplyDeleteNice poem. It's not as brutal a some other war poems I've read. The imagery in the poem is fantastic. I also liked the rhyme scheme. I think it added some relief from the topic. It's nice that you've chosen war as your theme, but what does Clint Eastwood have to do with WWII?
ReplyDeletethe rhyme scheme was enjoyable, i could really get my head in the scene because of the imagery. it really relates to your theme which is war. i think your theme is great because its something everyone can connect to, great job!
ReplyDelete