O What Is That Sound

O What Is That Sound

O what is that sound that so thrills the ear

  Down in the valley drumming, drumming?

Only the scarlet soldiers, dear,

  The soldiers coming.

 

O what is that light I see flashing so clear

  Over the distance brightly, brightly?

Only the sun on their weapons, dear,

  As they step lightly.

 

O what are they doing with all that gear,

  What are they doing this morning, this morning?

Only their usual manoeuvres, dear,

  Or perhaps a warning.

 

O why have they left the road down there,

  Why are they suddenly wheeling, wheeling?

Perhaps a change in their orders, dear,

  Why are you kneeling?

 

O haven't they stopped for the doctor's care,

  Haven't they reined their horses, their horses?

Why, none of them are wounded, dear,

  None of these forces.

 

O is it the parson they want, with white hair,

  Is it the parson, is it, is it?

No, they are passing his gateway, dear,

  Without a visit.

 

O it must be the farmer who lives so near.

  It must the farmer, so cunning, so cunning.

They have passed the farmyard already, dear,

  And now they are running.

 

O where are you going? Stay with me here!

  Were the vows you swore deceiving, deceiving?

No, I promised to love you, dear,

  But I must be leaving.

 

O it's broken the lock and it's splintered the door,

  O it's the gate where they're turning, turning;

Their boots are heavy on the floor,

  And their eyes are burning.

 

-W. H. Auden

 

Why has this poem been running through my head lately? I'm sure I can't explain it. Though it's true I did almost lead with a picture of a 'Notorious El Salvadoran Prison'. 

Does this mean I'm going to be more active on the blog again? Hmm...maybe. But I have been lately thinking that that three-month blogging vacation I just took was what I needed, and that it's been long enough. We'll see.