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Poem
December 31, 1917
The Fargo Forum And Daily Republican
Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
A woman reflects on knitting a woolen muffler for a young soldier serving in a war-torn land, her repetitive stitches symbolizing her contribution to the fight amid visions of trenches and battle.
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THE KNITTER.
(By Edith M. Thomas in New York Times.)
("Across and back—across and back again.")
I took the wool, and fifty stitches cast,
The trick I knew so well in childhood's past
Across and back—across and back again.
The task was pleasant and the rule was plain;
And, as those old yesterdays, it sped,
Nought new except the needle's amber-red—
An ardent flash against the fleecy gray!
And busy were my thoughts—the knitter's way!
How urgent was the cause—how dear the need—
My very hands knew, too, and doubled speed.
The muffler grew. Its wearer, soon-to-be—
The boyish wearer seemed to signal me:
Make haste.—make haste, for nights are frosty-keen
In this scarred land where fiends-at-arms have been,
Where we must strike our blows of might-and-main!"
Across and back—across and back again
The stitches lope away in endless train,
These make the ridge, and those the little plain!
The amber needles dart a fiery light—
The only way that they (and I) can fight!
The needles flash—the wool is gray as moss;
Across and back—across and back—across.
I do no longer see my flying hands—
I see the earth upheaved in those scarred lands!
The trenches in between the ridges show
And battle-fire, in stormy, hurtling glow!
Amidst the danger bright I glimpse a face
The boy's for whom the needles gleam and race!
Across and back—across and back—
A Cross?— O sacred Victory, heal whatever loss!
Machine hemstitching and picoting.
Mrs. A. E. Bassett, 305 deLennedre building.
Phone 2947-W.- Advt.
Hemstitching, picoting, pleating.
Mrs. A. Anderson, 817 Third Av. N.-Adv.
(By Edith M. Thomas in New York Times.)
("Across and back—across and back again.")
I took the wool, and fifty stitches cast,
The trick I knew so well in childhood's past
Across and back—across and back again.
The task was pleasant and the rule was plain;
And, as those old yesterdays, it sped,
Nought new except the needle's amber-red—
An ardent flash against the fleecy gray!
And busy were my thoughts—the knitter's way!
How urgent was the cause—how dear the need—
My very hands knew, too, and doubled speed.
The muffler grew. Its wearer, soon-to-be—
The boyish wearer seemed to signal me:
Make haste.—make haste, for nights are frosty-keen
In this scarred land where fiends-at-arms have been,
Where we must strike our blows of might-and-main!"
Across and back—across and back again
The stitches lope away in endless train,
These make the ridge, and those the little plain!
The amber needles dart a fiery light—
The only way that they (and I) can fight!
The needles flash—the wool is gray as moss;
Across and back—across and back—across.
I do no longer see my flying hands—
I see the earth upheaved in those scarred lands!
The trenches in between the ridges show
And battle-fire, in stormy, hurtling glow!
Amidst the danger bright I glimpse a face
The boy's for whom the needles gleam and race!
Across and back—across and back—
A Cross?— O sacred Victory, heal whatever loss!
Machine hemstitching and picoting.
Mrs. A. E. Bassett, 305 deLennedre building.
Phone 2947-W.- Advt.
Hemstitching, picoting, pleating.
Mrs. A. Anderson, 817 Third Av. N.-Adv.
What keywords are associated?
Knitting
War
Soldier
Muffler
Trenches
Victory
Patriotism
Battle
Needles
Scarred Land
Types':['Ballad','Ode'],'Themes':['War Military','Patriotism','Moral Virtue'],
What entities or persons were involved?
By Edith M. Thomas In New York Times.
Poem Details
Title
The Knitter.
Author
By Edith M. Thomas In New York Times.
Subject
Knitting A Muffler For A Soldier In Wartime
Key Lines
Across And Back—Across And Back Again.
The Only Way That They (And I) Can Fight!
A Cross?— O Sacred Victory, Heal Whatever Loss!