Poems (Kennedy)/Goodbye Sweethearts

by Sara Beaumont Kennedy

GOOD BYE, SWEETHEARTS

(JUNE, 1916)

BACK with your shields, O khaki lads,
O laddies brave and true;
You'll find the "girls you left behind"
  Still waiting here for you.

Upon the far-flung cactus plain
  The Stars and Stripes unbind,
And let the Eagle of the North
  Scream down the Mexic wind.

Wake up the echoes of the south
  With "Tennessee's" fair name;
She puts into your strong, young hands
  The record of her fame,

And sends you forth to keep undimmed
  Amid the clouds of war
Her symbol on your banner bright—
  Her white and steadfast star.

We'll watch for you beside the trails,
  Where Glory keeps her score;
O khaki lads, our hearts would break
  If you came back no more!

Would break, except we'd know the few
  Left 'neath the Aztec skies
Had shown the whole, wide martial world
  The way a hero dies.

But you'll come back, O khaki lads,
  And bring your shining shields,
And tell the girls how 'twas yeu fought
  And won on glory's fields!