The Unknown Soldier
by Angela Morgan

He is known to the sun-white Majesties 
Who stand at the gates of dawn. 
He is known to the cloud-borne company 
Whose souls but late have gone. 
Like wind-flung stars through lattice bars 
They throng to greet their own, 
With voice of flame they sound his name 
Who died to us unknown. 

He is hailed by the time-crowned brotherhood, 
By the Dauntless of Marathon, 
By Raymond, Godfrey and Lion Heart 
Whose dreams he carried on. 
His name they call through the heavenly hall 
Unheard by earthly ear, 
He is claimed by the famed in Arcady 
Who knew no title here. 

Oh faint was the lamp of Sirius 
And dim was the Milky Way. 
Oh far was the floor of Paradise 
From the soil where the soldier lay. 
Oh chill and stark was the crimson dark 
Where huddled men lay deep; 
His comrades all denied his call 
Long had they lain in sleep. 

Oh strange how the lamp of Sirius 
Drops low to the dazzled eyes, 
Oh strange how the steel-red battlefields 
Are floors of Paradise. 
Oh strange how the ground with never a sound 
Swings open, tier on tier, 
And standing there in the shining air 
Are the friends he cherished here. 

They are known to the sun-shod sentinels 
Who circle the morning's door, 
They are led by a cloud-bright company 
Through paths unseen before. 
Like blossoms blown, their souls have flown 
Past war and reeking sod, 
In the book unbound their names are found 
They are known in the courts of God! 

The Unknown Soldier
by Angela Morgan