John Jay Chapman

Heroes

I SEE them hasting toward the light Where war's dim watchfires glow; The stars that burn in Europe's night Conduct them to the foe. As when a flower feels the sun And opens to the sky, Knowing their dream has just begun They hasten forth to die. Be it the mystery of love— Be it the might of Truth— Some wisdom that we know not of Controls the heart of youth. All that philosophy might guess These children of the light In one bright act of death compress, Then vanish from our sight. Like meteors on a midnight sky They break—so clear, so brief— Their glory lingers on the eye And leaves no room for grief. And when to joy old sorrows turn, To spring war's winter long, Their blood in every heart will burn, Their life in every song.