Poems (Kennedy)/The Red Cross
RED CROSS
(Florence Nightingale did her mission of nursing before the institution of the Red Cross order; but she lived an invalid long years after its organization and was no doubt deeply interested in it.)
SPIRIT of Florence Nightingale Bending where red shells rain,'Twas you who blazed the mercy path Across the battle plain.
Soul of you, Clara Barton, shrined Where demon hatreds pressed,We see you 'gainst the rolling smoke, The Red Cross on your breast.
Before that symbol vengeance stops, And love dares show its face,Molochs of carnage know it for Sign-manual of God's grace.
'Twill go down through the un-dawned years From time's abyss unfurled,The pledge of those who light the torch Of mercy for the world.
Where war's red banners fill the sky Are spread its tents of peace,Where famine walks or floods sweep down It brings its own surcease.
Where east runs west and south climbs north, In calm or tempest's breath,Armies of Red Cross wearers hold The gates twixt life and death.