The Victoria Cross Flower

The Victoria Cross Flower
By Arthur Stilwell



Crocuses are daring scouts! They come in courage
To reconnoitre the retreating troops
Of winter, braving the perilous aim
Of sniper frost and machine-gun sleet,
To plant the purple glory of their flag
Upon the emptiness of no-man's land,
As signal for the safe advance
Of all the armies of summer's flowers.


(Originally published Country Guide)