Stephen Phillips: Appalled at bloody trophies

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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
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Stephen Phillips
From Christ in Hades
Before his eyes defiles in bright sunbeams,
An endless host parading past; whom he,
Their leader mild, remorsefully reviewed,
And had no joy in them, although aloud
They cried his name, and with fierce faces glad
Looked up to him for praise, all murmuring proud,
And bloody trophies toward him flourished and waved:
But as he stood, gazing, from time to time
He seemed to swerve, as though his hand grew red.
Or move, as though to interrupt some sight.

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