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Poem
May 29, 1963
The Daily News Of The Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas County, Virgin Islands
What is this article about?
A fallen soldier reflects on his death in battle far from home, clutching mud in the trenches, praying that his sacrifice ends war and brings peace on earth, echoed by comrades' 'Amen.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
97%
Excellent
Full Text
By E. Lewis Russell
Face down, a crumpled heap I lie
Never again to see the sky.
My rifle, upright, near me stands.
That once was gripped in now-dead hands.
Why did I die so far from home?
No more my native fields to roam.
This mud, within my fingers clenched,
God never meant to be blood-drenched.
We were not born for torture, pain.
I pray we did not die in vain.
To end all war and plant the seed
Of Peace on Earth among all men.
To this my comrades cry,
"Amen".
Face down, a crumpled heap I lie
Never again to see the sky.
My rifle, upright, near me stands.
That once was gripped in now-dead hands.
Why did I die so far from home?
No more my native fields to roam.
This mud, within my fingers clenched,
God never meant to be blood-drenched.
We were not born for torture, pain.
I pray we did not die in vain.
To end all war and plant the seed
Of Peace on Earth among all men.
To this my comrades cry,
"Amen".
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
War Military
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Soldier Death
War Lament
Peace Prayer
Trench Mud
Comrades Amen
What entities or persons were involved?
E. Lewis Russell
Poem Details
Author
E. Lewis Russell
Subject
A Soldier's Death In War
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Face Down, A Crumpled Heap I Lie
Never Again To See The Sky.
I Pray We Did Not Die In Vain.
To End All War And Plant The Seed
Of Peace On Earth Among All Men.
To This My Comrades Cry,
"Amen".