The Red Flower: Poems Written in War Time

In the pleasant time of Pentecost,By the little river Kyll,I followed the angler's winding pathOr waded the stream at will.And the friendly fertile German landLay round me green and still.But all day long on the eastern bankOf the river cool and clear,Where the curving track of the double railsWas hardly seen though near,The endless trains of German troopsWent rolling down to Trier.They packed the windows with bullet headsAnd caps of hodden gray;They laughed and sang and shouted loudWhen th...