Survivors
How solemn, as one by one,
As the ranks returning, all worn and sweaty—as the men file by where I
stand;
As the faces, the masks appear—as I glance at the faces, studying the
masks;
As I glance upward out of this page, studying you, dear friend, whoever you
are;—
How solemn the thought of my whispering soul, to each in the ranks, and to
you!
I see, behind each mask, that wonder, a kindred soul.
O the bullet could never kill what you really are, dear friend,
Nor the bayonet stab what you really are.
—The soul, yourself, I see, great as any, good as the best,
Waiting secure and content,—which the bullet could never kill,
Nor the bayonet stab, O friend!