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 warHer 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 skiesHad 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!