Many a time they kiss and cry, and pray
Both may be summoned in the selfsame day,
And wiseman linnet tinkling in his cage
End too with them the friendship of old age,
And all together leave their treasured room
Some bell-like evening when the May's in bloom.
EDMUND BLUNDEN
1920.
Intimacy
Since I have seen you do those intimate things
That other men but dream of; lull asleep
The sinister dark forest of your hair
And tie those bows that stir on your calm breast
Faintly as leaves that shudder in their sleep:
Since I have seen your stocking swallow up,
A swift black wind, the pale flame of your foot
And deemed your slender limbs so meshed in silk
Sweet mermaid sisters drowned in their dark hair:
I have not troubled overmuch with food
And wine has seemed like water from a well;
Pavements are built of fire, grass of thin flames;
All other girls grow dull as painted flowers,
Or flutter harmlessly like coloured flies
Whose wings are tangled in the net of leaves
Spread by frail trees that grow behind the eyes.
EDGELL RICKWORD
The Soldier Addresses His Body
I shall be mad if you get smashed about,
We've had good times together, you and I;
Although you groused a bit when luck was out
And women passionless, and we went dry.
Yet there are many things we have not done;
Countries not seen, where people do strange things,
Eat fish alive, and mimic in the sun
The solemn gestures of their stone-grey kings.