Classic Poem

PRIVATE Binks of the Q. M. C.
Fought the war in Tennessee.
He handed out leggings, and he handed out boots
To the corporals and sergeants, to the captains and the lieuts.

First man out at the end of the war
Was Corporal Binks of the Q. M. Corps.
Home he went in uniform to dazzle all the ginks.
A band was at the station to greet First Lieutenant Binks.

Of all the veterans, who bragged most?
Captain Binks of the Legion Post.
At patriotic festivals, at banquets and parades,
They always called on Binks to tell his martial escapades.

With local pride his neighbors glowed
When Major Binks walked down the road.
“A bold courageous man,” they said, “who says just what he thinks.
A credit to his townsmen is Lieutenant Colonel Binks.”

“In far-off lands, across the sea,
We fought to keep this nation free.
And as we fell in Flanders Fields they stole away our drinks.
Was this the cause for which we bled and died?” said Colonel Binks.

Mid the blare of brass and the tramp of feet
The boys come marching down the street.
And, clad in gorgeous uniform, with medals on his breast,
Our hero, Major General Binks, rides, leading all the rest.

Reverent children stand and stare
At the big bronze statue in the public square.
And the dying sunlight gilds it with its glory as it sinks,
And lights up the graven legend “To Our Hero—General Binks.”