Mark Turbyfill. A Song for Souls under Fire. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

A Song for Souls under Fire

By Mark Turbyfill


To F. L. W. Lo, that doves
Should soften
These surging streets!

I found him talking simply and gladly of God,
In the unmoved city of granite	5
And noise.

Thought kindled in his cheek,
And his white faith
Was the tree in spring
To look upon.	10

He whispered me he knew the God of Daniel
In the lions’ den;
The faith of Joan of Arc
On parapets.

He will walk, a spirit	15
Of unguessed power,
Into battle.

He will walk unreached
Into fire!