Page:Flower of youth, poems in war time, Tynan, 1915.djvu/33

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THE SUMMONS
31

THE SUMMONS

(V. L., 14th September 1914)

Straight to his death he went,
A smile on his lips,
All his life's joy unspent,
Into eclipse.


The song of the shell he heard
Cleaving the dark,
As though 'twere the song of a bird,
Linnet or lark.


Why would he go so fast
Out to the dead,
All in a heavenly haste
Not to be stayed?


What did he see afar
That drew him after?
Light from a merry star,
Singing and laughter?