| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | Why the War? | | By John Gould Fletcher |
| | From “Modern Lamentations”
THEY went to a field, and there lay two swords and two ploughshares; | |
| And the first man said, “Plow, brother.” | |
| But the second man frowned, and growled, tossing his head, | |
| “We must kill each other.” | |
| |
| “The fruits of earth are beautiful—flowers and fruits, | 5 |
| From the warm breast of earth, our mother.” | |
| “Flower and fruit are for fools who want them, and beauty to boot! | |
| We must kill each other.” | |
| |
| “Then let us strive, if you will, but only in peace; | |
| In life let us conquer each other.” | 10 |
| “Death settles the contest more quickly; one cut will release: | |
| We must kill each other.” | |
| |
| “If death settles all, why then either fight or strive? | |
| Let us sit down on the grass and weep for each other.” | |
| “Because only so can the farce be played to the last: | 15 |
| Draw, brother.” | | | | |
|
|
