John William Streets
NOW
” Mother of England ! why do you weep ? “
‘ My heart’s with the fate of my own dearest sons
Fighting for Freedom against modern Huns :
Prayerful, a watch o’er their spirits I keep :
I gave them up gladly, but Oh, how I pine,
To kiss and embrace them, laddies of mine ! “
‘ Daughter of England ! why do you grieve ? “
” I think of my lover so tender and brave,
And there in my dreams I oft see a grave,
Until with its sadness my bosom doth heave.
I think of his manhood, I dream of his loss :
How hard ‘ tis to tread the way of the cross !”
“Young boy of England ! why do you cry ? “
” I once had a daddy so tall and so strong,
Wholoved me and sang of his love in deep song ;
Who often for me toys and sweeties would buy :
But why does my daddy not come back to me?
For though he’s a soldier he must long for me ! “
AFTER
” Mother of England ! do you regret
Giving your sons to die for their land ?
“No ! while I freedom of life understand ;
No ! though my eyes with their memories are wet.
I’d give them again , my laddies so brave,
Tho’ my Life’s in their memory, and my heart’s in their grave ! “
” Daughter of England ! do you recall
The night that you bade your fair lover go ? ‘
“My lover a man was and had I said ‘ No ‘
His sweetheart a woman you never could call .
I’m glad, as his features in memory I scan,
My love was a soldier, my love was a man !
‘ Young lad of England ! are you not glad
Your father did fight the terrible foe ? “
” I’m proud with the mem’ry and sometimes I grow
In thought of his deeds with emotion half mad.
I wear, Sir, the V.C. (though dead) that he won :
‘ Twill keep me in honour, ‘ twill make me his son ! “
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem, divided into two parts—“Now” and “After”—captures the emotional turmoil and the enduring sense of sacrifice felt by different generations during wartime. The first section, “Now,” portrays the immediate pain and sorrow experienced by individuals who have loved ones involved in the conflict. The “Mother of England,” “Daughter of England,” and “Young boy of England” each express their personal grief, which is deeply tied to the loss of a son, lover, or father fighting in the war. These characters are steeped in the anguish of separation and the fear of death. The mother’s sorrow is one of longing, wishing she could embrace her sons once more; the daughter is haunted by the image of a grave, grieving for her lost lover; and the boy struggles to understand the absence of his father, who was once a loving figure and is now distant due to war. The reader is made to feel the immediacy of their pain, framed within the context of sacrifice for the greater good—freedom and country.
The second section, “After,” brings a sense of resolution and, in some cases, pride. While the mourning remains, there’s a shift in perspective. The mother, despite her sorrow, does not regret giving up her sons for the cause of freedom. The daughter, too, is no longer solely consumed by grief but finds solace in the fact that her lover was a man of honor, a soldier who fought for a noble cause. The boy, now older, expresses pride in his father’s sacrifice, holding on to his memory with reverence and even wearing his father’s medals, as if to live on in his honor.
The poem effectively moves from the raw pain of loss to a quiet acceptance of sacrifice and a growing sense of pride in the face of tragedy. It explores themes of love, duty, and the complex emotions tied to war. The characters’ development—from mourning to pride—reflects the emotional journey of those left behind, who must come to terms with the sacrifice made for the greater good. The repetition of “Mother of England,” “Daughter of England,” and “Young boy of England” personalizes the experience, giving it a universal feel, while still maintaining the individuality of each character’s grief and eventual acceptance. This structure highlights the inevitable cost of war and the complex relationship between personal loss and national pride.