Poems Ancient and Modern

Poems Ancient and Modern

Share this post

Poems Ancient and Modern
Poems Ancient and Modern
Today’s Poem: War is Kind

Today’s Poem: War is Kind

Stephen Crane’s fading

Joseph Bottum's avatar
Joseph Bottum
Aug 08, 2024
∙ Paid
16

Share this post

Poems Ancient and Modern
Poems Ancient and Modern
Today’s Poem: War is Kind
8
2
Share

Tip Jar

Howard Pyle, The Battle of Nashville, 1906 (Minnesota State Capitol)

War is Kind

by Stephen Crane

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. 
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky 
And the affrighted steed ran on alone, 
Do not weep. 
War is kind. 

      Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, 
      Little souls who thirst for fight, 
      These men were born to drill and die. 
      The unexplained glory flies above them, 
      Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom — 
      A field where a thousand corpses lie. 

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. 
Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches, 
Raged at his breast, gulped and died, 
Do not weep. 
War is kind. 

      Swift, blazing flag of the regiment, 
      Eagle with crest of red and gold, 
      These men were born to drill and die. 
      Point for them the virtue of slaughter, 
      Make plain to them the excellence of killing 
      And a field where a thousand corpses lie. 

Mother whose heart hung …

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Poems Ancient and Modern to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Poems Ancient and Modern
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share