Poem of the Day

This poem is sad, but I’m posting it because I feel as if I’ve been fighting a war lately (and losing).

Joining the Colours
(WEST KENTS, DUBLIN, 1914)
By Katharine Tynan Hinkson

There they go marching all in step so gay!
   Smooth-cheeked and golden, food for shells and guns.
Blithely they go as to a wedding day,
            The mothers’ sons.

The drab street stares to see them row on row
   On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark.
Too careless-gay for courage, singing they go
            Into the dark.

With tin whistles, mouth-organs, any noise,
   They pipe the way to glory and the grave;
Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys
            Love cannot save.

High heart! High courage! The poor girls they kissed
   Run with them: they shall kiss no more, alas!
Out of the mist they stepped—into the mist
            Singing they pass.

Current Tea: Thai iced tea

I can’t really think of something witty to post, so I’m posting this poem because I like it.

The Last Voyage
By Katharine Tynan Hinkson

Some morning I shall rise from sleep,
   When all the house is still and dark.
I shall steal down and find my ship
   By the dim quayside, and embark,

Nor fear the seas nor any wind.
   I have known Fear, but now no more.
The winds shall bear me safe and kind,
   Long-hoped for and long-waited for.

To no strange country shall I come,
   But to mine own delightful land,
With Love to bid me welcome home
   And Love to lead me by the hand.

Love, you and I shall cling together,
   And look long in each other’s eyes.
There shall be rose and violet weather
   Under the trees of Paradise.

We shall not hear the ticking clock,
   Nor the swift rustle of Time’s wings,
Nor dread the sharp dividing stroke
   Being come now to immortal things.

You of that beauty shall be fain,
   Being now no new inhabitant,
Its beauties to point out, explain,
   And all its dear delights to vaunt.

They will not end in a thousand years.
   Love, we shall be so long together
Withouten any sword to fear,
   Glad in the rose and violet weather.

With all those wonders to admire,
   And the heart’s hunger satisfied,
Given at the last the heart’s desire
   We shall forget we ever died.

Oh, in some morning dateless yet
   I shall steal out in the sweet dark
And find my ship with sails all set
   By the dim quayside, and embark.