Josephine Turck Baker: To the Mothers of the Martyred Dead upon the Field of Battle

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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts

American writers on peace and against war

Women writers on peace and war

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Josephine Turck Baker
The Cross
To the Mothers of the Martyred Dead upon the Field of Battle

My flesh cries out for its own flesh!
My blood demands its own heart’s blood!
The thunderous roar of cannon is the answer to my call.
Give me back my flesh and blood!
To bring forth, I did pass through dark Gethsemane,
And hear with Him the tortures of the Cross;
And to what end? to add one more unto
The martyred dead upon the field of battle.
His dear face, covered with my kisses,
Upturned in marble coldness, blood-stained,
The death-dew gathering on his brow.
His sweet voice, lingering fondly “Farewell, Mother!” forever stilled.
His loving arms entwined around me,
Mangled, torn with shot and shell.
Again I pass through dark Gethsemane,
And share with thee the tortures of the Cross.