THERE they go marching all in step so gay! <br />Smooth-cheeked and golden, food for shells and guns. <br />Blithely they go as to a wedding day, <br />The mothers' sons. <br /> <br />The drab street stares to see them row on row <br />On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark. <br />Too careless-gay for courage, singing they go <br />Into the dark. <br /> <br />With tin whistles, mouth-organs, any noise, <br />They pipe the way to glory and the grave; <br />Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys <br />Love cannot save. <br /> <br />High heart! High courage! The poor girls they kissed <br />Run with them : they shall kiss no more, alas! <br />Out of the mist they stepped-into the mist <br />Singing they pass.<br /><br />Katharine Tynan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/joining-the-colours/
