Anthem for Doomed Youth

Anthem for Doomed Youth
What bids me leave this weary wood,
Where shadows loom and silence stood?
A dying patriot lies low,
her name I did not know.

No trumpet calls, no clarion cry—
Her anthem was sung by the wind’s soft sigh.
The guns once roared, now gently cease,
And death, it seems, has brought her peace.

What bids me leave this solemn ground,
Where souls in endless rows are found?
The grass grows high, the poppies bloom,
A silent hymn for every tomb.

No glory here, no war-born pride—
Just broken dreams that softly died.
The stars look down with cold disdain,
On fields where youth lies still in pain.

What bids me leave? I cannot stay—
For she is gone, and I must stray.
And yet I linger by the wood,
Where she, the dying patriot, stood.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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