Explore "The Iron Crags" by Madison Cawein on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
/ Upon the iron crags of War I heard his terrible daughters / In battle speak while at their feet, / In gulfs of human waters, / A voice, intoning, "Where is God? " in ceaseless sorrow beat: / And to my heart, in doubt, I said, / "God? -- God's above the storm! / O heart, be brave, be comforted, / And keep your hearth-stone warm / For her who breasts the storm -- / God's Peace, the fair of form. " / I heard the Battle Angels cry above the slain's red mountains, / While from their wings the lightnings hurled / Of Death's destroying fountains, / And thunder of their revels rolled around the ruined world: / Still to my heart, in fear, I cried, / "God? -- God is watching there! / My heart, -- oh, keep the doorway wide / Here in your House of Care, / For her who wanders there, / God's Peace, with happy hair."
/ The darkness and the battle passed: and rushing on wild pinions / The hosts of Havoc shrieked their hate / And fled to Hell's dominions, -- / And, lo! I heard, out in the night, a knocking at the gate: / And one who cried aloud to me: -- / "The night and storm are gone! / Oh, open wide the door and see / Who waits here in the dawn! -- / Peace, with God's splendor on / Back to the sad world drawn! "