1940

[During her lifetime, Sibyl Mary Croly was a prolific poet. So far I have found over 200 published and unpublished poems. A Square Inch of Space (1974) and Mock Us Gently (1978) contained collections of her works. Numerous other poems were published in newspapers and magazines from 1902 to at least 1978.]

Mother,
         what shall I do
When they put a gun in my hand?
Mother, I’m asking you;
Help me to understand.

My country,
        tell me true
If I pour out my blood
What will it do for you?
Will it make you strong and good?

Sweetheart,
        if I am killed
Because I am whole and sound
Will a weakling father your child
When I am underground?

God,
        when they took your son
And nailed him to a tree
Why didn’t you give him a gun
Like the one they’re handing me?

[Unpublished.]


All of Sibyl’s poetry published to date on this website can be seen in these posts:

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