Now these are memories only, and your skies and rushy sky-pools
Fragile mirrors easily broken by moving airs....
In my deep heart for ever goes on your daily being,
And uses consecrate.
Think on me too, O Mother, who wrest my soul to serve you
In strange and fearful ways beyond your encircling waters;
None but you can know my heart, its tears and sacrifice;
None, but you, repay.
SERENITY
Nor steel nor flame has any power on me,
Save that its malice work the Almighty Will,
Nor steel nor flame has any power on me;
Through tempests of hell-fire I must go free
And unafraid; so I remember still
Nor steel nor flame has any power on me,
Save that its malice work the Almighty Will.
THE SIGNALLER’S VISION
One rainy winter dusk
Mending a parted cable,
Sudden I saw so clear
Home and the tea-table.
So clear it was, so sweet,
I did not start, but drew
The breath of deep content
Some minutes ere I knew
My Mother’s face that’s soother
Than autumn half-lights kind,
My softly smiling sisters
Who keep me still in mind,
Were but a dream, a vision—
That faded. And I knew
The smell of trench, trench-feeling—
And turned to work anew.