Margaret Sackville: We are the mothers, and each has lost a son

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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
British writers on peace and war
Women writers on peace and war
Margaret Sackville: Selections on peace and war
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Margaret Sackville
Victory
Who are ye that come with eyes red and weeping
In a long, long line and silent every one?
See overhead the flag of triumph sweeping –
“We are the mothers, and each has lost a son.”
Cries of the crowd who greet their god of glory!
What of these who crouch there silent in the street? –
“We are outraged women, ’tis a common story,
Quietly we lie beneath your armies’ feet.”
Red flags of conquest, banners great and golden!
Who are these silent ones upon our track?
“We in our thousands, perished unbeholden,
We are the women: pray you, look not back.”

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