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Poem
May 17, 1918
The Mahnomen Pioneer
Mahnomen, Mahnomen County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Poem personifying the Red Cross spirit as aiding wounded soldiers in war trenches, mourning the dead, providing care, and representing public sacrifice and support symbolized by the cross and flag.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE RED CROSS SPIRIT SPEAKS
By JOHN H. FINLEY.
I kneel behind the soldiers' trench
I walk with shambles' smear and stench.
The dead I mourn.
I bear the stretcher and I bend
O'er Sammy, Pierre and Jack and mend
What shells have torn.
I go wherever men may dare, I go wherever woman's care
And love can live.
Wherever strength and skill can bring
Surcease to human suffering
Or solace give.
I am your pennies and your pounds;
I am your bodies on their rounds
Of pain afar;
I am you, doing what you would
If you were only where you could—
Your avatar.
The cross which on my arm I wear,
The flag which o'er my breast I bear,
Is but the sign
Of what you'd sacrifice for him
Who suffers on the hellish rim
Of war's red line.
By JOHN H. FINLEY.
I kneel behind the soldiers' trench
I walk with shambles' smear and stench.
The dead I mourn.
I bear the stretcher and I bend
O'er Sammy, Pierre and Jack and mend
What shells have torn.
I go wherever men may dare, I go wherever woman's care
And love can live.
Wherever strength and skill can bring
Surcease to human suffering
Or solace give.
I am your pennies and your pounds;
I am your bodies on their rounds
Of pain afar;
I am you, doing what you would
If you were only where you could—
Your avatar.
The cross which on my arm I wear,
The flag which o'er my breast I bear,
Is but the sign
Of what you'd sacrifice for him
Who suffers on the hellish rim
Of war's red line.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Red Cross
War
Soldiers
Sacrifice
Humanitarian Aid
Avatar
What entities or persons were involved?
By John H. Finley.
Poem Details
Title
The Red Cross Spirit Speaks
Author
By John H. Finley.
Subject
Tribute To The Red Cross In War
Key Lines
I Am You, Doing What You Would
If You Were Only Where You Could—
Your Avatar.
The Cross Which On My Arm I Wear,
The Flag Which O'er My Breast I Bear,
Is But The Sign
Of What You'd Sacrifice For Him
Who Suffers On The Hellish Rim
Of War's Red Line.