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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JIMMY DOANE, by ROWLAND THIRLMERE First Line: Often I think of you, jimmy doane Last Line: Your vision upbuilt as a deathless fact. Subject(s): World War I; First World War | |||
OFTEN I think of you, Jimmy Doane,— You who, light-heartedly, came to my house Three autumns, to shoot and to eat a grouse! As I sat apart in this quiet room, My mind was full of the horror of war And not with the hope of a visitor. I had dined on food that had lost its taste; My soul was cold and I wished you were here,— When, all in a moment, I knew you were near. Placing that chair where you used to sit, I looked at my book:—Three years to-day Since you laughed in that seat and I heard you say— "My country is with you, whatever befall: America—Britain—these two are akin In courage and honour; they underpin "The rights of Mankind!" Then you grasped my hand With a brotherly grip, and you made me feel Something that Time would surely reveal. You were comely and tall; you had corded arms, And sympathy's grace with your strength was blent; You were generous, clever, and confident. There was that in your hopes which uncountable lives Have perished to make; your heart was fulfilled With the breath of God that can never be stilled. A living symbol of power, you talked Of the work to do in the world to make Life beautiful: yes, and my heartstrings ache To think how you, at the stroke of War, Chose that your steadfast soul should fly With the eagles of France as their proud ally. You were America's self, dear lad— The first swift son of your bright, free land To heed the call of the Inner Command— To image its spirit in such rare deeds As braced the valour of France, who knows That the heart of America thrills with her woes. For a little leaven leavens the whole! Mostly we find, when we trouble to seek The soul of a people, that some unique, Brave man is its flower and symbol, who Makes bold to utter the words that choke The throats of feebler, timider folk. You flew for the western eagle—and fell Doing great things for your country's pride: For the beauty and peace of life you died. Britain and France have shrined in their souls Your memory; yes, and for ever you share Their love with their perished lords of the air. Invisible now, in that empty seat, You sit, who came through the clouds to me, Swift as a message from over the sea. My house is always open to you: Dear spirit, come often and you will find Welcome, where mind can foregather with mind! And may we sit together one day Quietly here, when a word is said To bring new gladness unto our dead, Knowing your dream is a dream no more; And seeing on some momentous pact Your vision upbuilt as a deathless fact. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |
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