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John Davidson




John Davidson, poet

Battle
The war of words is done;
    The red-lipped cannon speak;
  The battle has begun.
  The web your speeches spun
    Tears and blood shall streak;
  The war of words is done.
  Smoke enshrouds the sun;
    Earth staggers at the shriek
  Of battle new begun.

 Poltroons and braggarts run:
  Woe to the poor, the meek!
 The war of words is done.

 "And hope not now to shun
  The doom that dogs the weak,"
 Thunders every gun;

 "Victory must be won."
  When the red-lipped cannon speak,
 The war of words is done,
 The slaughter has begun.

John Ashbery

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