The Tolerance of Crowds

This prophetic poem was written by Charles Donnelly before he had decided to leave Ireland and join the International Brigade in Spain. He fell charging the Fascist trenches at Jarama on February 27, 1937.

His body, shattered by two ezvplosiue bullets, was recovered four days later.

Death comes iI1 quantity from solved Problems on maps, well-ordered dispositions,

Angles of elevation and direction;

Comes innocent from tools children might Love, retaining under pillows,

Innocently impaled on any flesh.

And with flesh falls apart the mind That trails thought from the mind that cuts

Thought clearly for a waiting purpose. Progress of poison in the nerves and

Discipli11e’s collapse is halted.

Body awaits the tolerance of crows.

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