Fifes and Drums/The American Flag

by Theodosia Garrison

THE AMERICAN FLAG

They wait the flag—These men who hold their own
Against that beast (blood-mad and madly blind)
Who seeks to poison all of human-kind,
And snarl above a ravaged world alone.
They wait the flag—that sign that shall be shown
To prove that with them—one in might and mind—
Their mates from over-sea, long held behind
Strive with them where the foremost lines are thrown.

Dear God, to see that day when France shall turn,
Like some brave mariner who fought the gale
The live-long night, to see against the dawn
Like one great glory in the sunrise, burn
The spread, white wonder of a nearing sail
That signals "We stand by—Sail on, sail on!"

Theodosia Garrison.