tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970554022397463322.post2832942172104680162..comments2024-03-26T03:11:42.678-04:00Comments on Behind Their Lines: Conscientious objectorsConnie R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00887098543181126157noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970554022397463322.post-44845374830089374962020-02-13T10:26:58.136-05:002020-02-13T10:26:58.136-05:00Wonderful poem, Chris -- the breadth of your knowl...Wonderful poem, Chris -- the breadth of your knowledge is inspiring!Connie R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00887098543181126157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970554022397463322.post-74348528480308968232020-02-13T05:59:18.823-05:002020-02-13T05:59:18.823-05:00Another fine "conchi" poem was written b...Another fine "conchi" poem was written by poetess Edna St Vincent Millay.<br />I used it for my WWI poetry anthology. <br />You may be aware that, at least in England, conscientious objection emerged rather clearly among Quakers.<br />Here is Edna's poem, of thee same title as your heading.<br />Cheers,<br />Chris<br /><br /> <br /> <br />I shall die, but<br />that is all that I shall do for Death.<br />I hear him leading his horse out of the stall;<br />I hear the clatter on the barn-floor.<br />He is in haste; he has business in Cuba,<br />business in the Balkans, many calls to make this morning.<br />But I will not hold the bridle<br />while he clinches the girth.<br />And he may mount by himself:<br />I will not give him a leg up.<br /><br />Though he flick my shoulders with his whip,<br />I will not tell him which way the fox ran.<br />With his hoof on my breast, I will not tell him where<br />the black boy hides in the swamp.<br />I shall die, but that is all that I shall do for Death;<br />I am not on his pay-roll.<br /><br />I will not tell him the whereabout of my friends<br />nor of my enemies either.<br />Though he promise me much,<br />I will not map him the route to any man's door.<br />Am I a spy in the land of the living,<br />that I should deliver men to Death?<br />Brother, the password and the plans of our city<br />are safe with me; never through me Shall you be overcome.<br />Edna St. Vincent Millayc.spriethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03362112445796023444noreply@blogger.com