I dreamt I drifted with a name on my lips,
Where the clouds were sea waves, and the stars little ships.
I dreamt,—and lay on the shell-bitten sod,
Like a thing that had been forgotten of God.
I saw the smoke of the battle roll
Over many a swift departing soul,—
But when the dawn was a violet tide,
A shadow came and knelt at my side.
No—not a shadow—or mystery—
But a rose of the darkness, she came to me.
Mist-grey was her gown, and about her head
Was a shining band with a cross of red.
Her eyes were closed, for she dared not see
What the guns and the dark had made of me.
So I caught her gown in fear she would pass,
Like a lovely shadow, across the grass.
"Who are you?" I cried, "who have found me here
Where I have lain, this year upon year?"
"No! No! but one night, beloved,"—she said,
"While I searched for you all among the dead.