Page 16

OLD SOLDIERS' DRUMS

I'm just too old for drilling I can't hike anymore; So I'm bound for the soldiers' graveyard Behind an office door. They sing - "Old soldiers never die." We don't; we live on crumbs - The shrilling, splendid bugles An' the thunder of the drums! I won't do Guard in a snowstorm An' I won't hafta go an' fire; It's just messin' around an office An' waiting to retire. "Approved per First Indorsement ..." An' through the window comes The music of a Guardmount An' the cadenced, throbbin' drums! Twenty-three and a butt in the Doughboys; Why, I've hiked a million miles! But they said my age couldn't stand it An' they detailed me to the files! This work is nice for some men Who can take it as it comes. But you know their hearts ain't achin' For the pullin', poundin' drums! D.S. 1/4C. an' a non-combatant! When there's guys tha'd give their life To piddle around an office An' go home at night tot he wife. But I'll get back to formation; There's a day that always comes: An' I'll ride on a painted cassion With the muffled, sobbin' drums!

Page 16

FRAGMENT I.

There is a girl Imperially slim and beautiful. With eyes like shadowed jade With mouth mobile and cool. Her throat a carven column Rising from the blue of her dress Or was it blue? I cannot remember I can only dream of her utter loveliness.

Page 16

TAPS

In a quiet hospital ward an old soldier is dying. A young hospital orderly sits by his side. As the dying man gasps a few words the notes of Taps float in the open window. "Fades the light ... and afar ... goeth day, cometh night ..." "Yes, it's almost finished ... my hitch is done I've done my duty ... I've known some friends. It was well worthwhile ... I've no regrets. I hate to leave the Army but my discharges comes 'From Higher Authority' than my own C. O. Seven hash marks. Son: will you show as much? And all my characters were 'Excellent'! "And a star ... guideth all ..." "I had my star, too, not in cash But the flaunting of a bit of color at sunset I ain't talked about it much, a man don't talk About the things he feels. I've loved it though ... "Leadeth all ... to ... their ... rest." "Adios, Kid! I'm done ... one thing though ... Tell that recruit in my squadroom to strai ... Ah-h-h-h!" The bugler lights a cigarette and throws away the match.

'Fragment' was published as "Remembering" in the Dec 28, 1928 issue of the 1928 University of Chicago Maroon

Besides the poems about Jean within this book,

Song to be Sung on Third Relief
Couplets
Explanation

Bradley also wrote the following poems while courting her:

For Jean	Nov 16, 1928
To a Bashful Young Lady	Nov 16, 1928
I May Deceive a Woman	Nov 23, 1928
She wuzza mos' gorgeous lady	Nov 23, 1928
The Meddler	Jan    8, 1929
To "M"	Feb 15, 1929
Suskind	Mar   1, 1929

Bradley and Jean eloped Aug 27, 1934. It wasn't until Christmas of that year that she told her family she was married, and went to live with Bradley in NYC.

Jean left Bradley in 1944, and he wrote many letters pleading unsuccessfully with her to come back.

The letter of Aug 2, 1952 also gives Bradley's thoughts on his own mortality.