Prose & Poetry - The Muse in Arms - Per Ardua ad Astra
First published in London
in November 1917 and reprinted in February 1918 The Muse in Arms
comprised, in the words of editor E. B. Osborne:
"A collection of war poems, for the most part written in the field of action, by seamen, soldiers, and flying men who are serving, or have served, in the Great War".
Below is one of eight poems featured within the War in the Air section of the collection. You can access other poems within the section via the sidebar to the right.
Per Ardua ad Astra
by Gordon Alchin
For every soul
That's claimed by the outraged wind,
Humanity, take toll
In fuller knowledge of the world behind
The dawn-mist and the aery eventide -
In greater skill the paths of heaven to ride.
For every life -
God knows the price we've paid for sov'ranty -
For every life
Let Man exact the full indemnity:
That unborn men secure may ride at ease
The labyrinthine channels of the breeze.
The Parados was the side of a trench farthest from the enemy.
- Did you know?
