Magenta.
I.
Under the willows ; in the trampled maize
;1
Midst up-torn vines, and shatter’d mulberry rows ;2
In rice-fields, corn-fields, dykes by dusty ways,3
And cottage-crofts, where the gold gourd-flower
blows,―4
blows,―4
Swathes of Death’s scythe, wielded for two long days―5
The dead lie thick and still : foes all at peace with foes.6
II.
So many nameless dead ! no meed of glory7
For all this blood, so freely pour’d, is theirs ;8
Yet each life here link’d many in its story9
Of hopes and loves and hates, of joys and cares.10
Of these unhonour’d sleepers, grim and gory,11
Who knows, out of the world how much each with him
bears ?12
bears ?12
A woman lies on a bed in front of a window. Her upper body leans over so that her
face is pressed into a pillow. Her legs fall
off of the bed and one foot touches the floor. Her eyes are closed and she holds a
newspaper under one arm. The poem title,
“MAGENTA”, is inscribed on something outside of the window (possibly a banner). 1/3
page contained within a single-ruled
border.
III.
These were all sons or sires ; husbands or brothers ;13
Bread-winners, most of them, for homes afar.14
This a sick father’s stay ; that a blind mother’s ;15
For him in Paris, ’neath the evening star,16
A loving heart its care in labour smothers,17
Till taught by arms of price, how far they strike―
how far !18
how far !18
IV.
Cry ! let the poor soul wrestle with the woe19
Of that bereavement. Who takes thought of her ?20
Through the illumined streets the triumphs go ;21
Under her window waving banners stir,22
And shouting crowds to Notre Dame that flow.23
Hide, mourner, hide the tears which might such
triumphs blur !24
triumphs blur !24