Poems (Kennedy)/In France
IN FRANCE
WE knew not when your ships set sail; All silently they slipped away Through moonless night or rift of day,With whispering winds or toss of gale—Their prows forever to the east.
We held our peace; our hearts obeyed That one out-given word Of "silence" all the nation heard.We watched each sun and dumbly prayedFor you "somewhere" in God's great world.
And while we prayed, you reached your goal, You heard the echo of a cry: "We helped you—help us ere we die!"And once again, no stint of dole,France gives you lilies of her love.
With her you stand and look away To that far line Where banners shineLike blossomed petals of the dayBreaking the sepals of the night.
And what you see? Not death, O men, But Glory's face In that lone place;And you give back its smile, as whenYour mother calls you softly home—O our brave sons in far-off France!