Explore "War-Sacrifice" by Helen Gray Cone on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
MOODS OF WAR
On a rock-altar stern / In sacrificial fires, / A man goes up to burn / His memories and desires.
Sweet savors of the earth, / All innocence and ease, / All pleasantness and mirth, / He offers on his knees.
His trembling, star-white dreams; / His body's secret fear; / His life -- how dear it seems, / How knit with lives more dear!
Last offering, and most dread -- / With blind arms thrust above / His bowed and suffering head, / He burns his brother-love:
Yet from that altar springs, / Magnificently bright, / A Love with fiery wings / To fill the world with light.