More songs by the fighting men. Soldiers poets: second series/R. C. G. Dartford

R. C. G. DARTFORD

Captain, attached to Portuguese Expeditionary Force, France

 

A Soldier's Question: Spring, 1917

CURSE I the Spring that God has sent
Raising such discord in my soul ? . . .
'Twas fitter when the winter's blast
Could lash my spirit to the mast
And send me drugged by brute control
To battle with a grim content!

Then Death took hold on the neck of Life
And Earth's rough scalp lay touzled and scarred,
And the winter-scream swept round me fierce—
The softer visions to disperse—
While stripped by storms I stood on guard
Cleaving the wind with keener knife.

But now with Spring to dream or grieve
I am tempted, and the blushful day
Reveals her old-time beauty, far
From mating with the ghost of War.
Am I then laggard if I pray
From this soul's scaffold quick reprieve?

 

War-time Consolation

BUT for the watches dark⁠
⁠Would you welcome the morrow?
Can any joy reach your heart
⁠But mounts upon sorrow?
Surely pains in which you take part
⁠Pleasures will borrow?

 

Welcome Death

WHEN you've been dead beat, and had to go on
While others died; when your turn to be gone
Is overdue; when you're pushed ahead
("Go on till you die" is all they said),
Then die—and you're glad to be dead!