The summer twilight gently yields
To star-sown luminous night, and close
The flowers in these Flemish Fields
Are folded, still the leaves repose;
But, as the colour leaves the sky,
And darkness wraps a suffering earth,
Clamouring, climbing endlessly
Another blossom springs to birth:
The Flower of Battle, down the wide
Horizon mantles, tendrils spread,
Its far-hung petals brilliant dyed,
Yellow, and blinding white, and red.
Fed with our bodies at its root,
Fed with our hearts its living flame,
It sways in wonder absolute,
And Flower of Battle is its name. . . .
Men will gaze, awestruck, men will strive
. To reach its glowing heart . . . and some
May turn away while yet alive,
But few from out its shade may come !
(Ralph Hale Mottram)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, War & Peace Poems, Name Poems, Flowers Poems, Birth Poems, Curiosity Poems, Suffering PoemsBased on Keywords: flemish, awestruck, star-sown