May 09

Armistice (Jewett)

Posted in Uncategorized      Comments Off on Armistice (Jewett)

Armistice, by Sophie Jewett (1861-1909)

The water sings along our keel,
   The wind falls to a whispering breath;
I look into your eyes and feel
   No fear of life or death;
So near is love, so far away
The losing strife of yesterday.

 

We watch the swallow skim and dip;
   Some magic bids the world be still;
Life stands with finger upon lip;
   Love hath his gentle will;
Though hearts have bled, and tears have burned,
The river floweth unconcerned.

 

We pray the fickle flag of truce
   Still float deceitfully and fair;
Our eyes must love its sweet abuse;
   This hour we will not care,
Though just beyond to-morrow’s gate,
Arrayed and strong, the battle wait.

Words That Burn