Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
Spoon River Anthology - Penn State University
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Edgar Lee Masters<br />
Godwin James<br />
HARRY WILMANS! You who fell in a swamp<br />
Near Manila, following the flag<br />
You were not wounded by the greatness of a dream,<br />
Or destroyed by ineffectual work,<br />
Or driven to madness by Satanic snags;<br />
You were not torn by aching nerves,<br />
Nor did you carry great wounds to your old age.<br />
You did not starve, for the government fed you.<br />
You did not suffer yet cry “forward”<br />
To an army which you led<br />
Against a foe with mocking smiles,<br />
Sharper than bayonets.<br />
You were not smitten down<br />
By invisible bombs.<br />
You were not rejected<br />
By those for whom you were defeated.<br />
You did not eat the savorless bread<br />
Which a poor alchemy had made from ideals.<br />
You went to Manila, Harry Wilmans,<br />
While I enlisted in the bedraggled army<br />
Of bright-eyed, divine youths,<br />
Who surged forward, who were driven back and fell<br />
Sick, broken, crying, shorn of faith,<br />
Following the flag of the Kingdom of Heaven.<br />
You and I, Harry Wilmans, have fallen<br />
In our several ways, not knowing<br />
Good from bad, defeat from victory,<br />
Nor what face it is that smiles<br />
Behind the demoniac mask.<br />
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