Classic Poem

The sky shows cold where the roof has been,
But the stars of night are none the dimmer,
Where the home once stood are the ruins seen,
But the brazier glows with a cheery glimmer.
And the old life goes and the new life fills
The scenes of many a peasant story,
And the bursting shells on the sentried hills
Whisper of death but shout of glory!

Gutted and ripped the stricken earth,
Where the bones of the restless dead are showing;
But the great earth breathes of life and birth,
And ruin shrinks from the blossoms blowing.
The old life fails, but the new life comes
Over the ruins scarred and hoary,
Though the thunder of guns and the roll of drums
But make for death while they shout of glory.