Current War Poetry

Levin Daily Chronicle, 12 March 1918, Page 4

Current War Poetry

MY LAD. j What did you see out there, my lad, That has set that look in your eyes? You went out a boy, you have come back a man, With strange new depths underneath your tan; What was it you saw out there, iny lad, That set such deeps in your eyesT "Strange things,—and sad, —and wonderful, — Things that I scarce can tell, — I have been in the sweep of the Heaper's scythe,— With God, —and Christ, —and hell. "I have seen Christ doing Christly deeds; I have seen the devil at play; I have grimped to the sod in the hand of God; I have seem the God-less pray. "I have seen Death blast out suddenly From a clear blue summer sky; I have slain like Cain with a blazing brain, I have heard the wounded cry. "I have lain alone among the dead, With no hope but to die; I have seen them killing the wounded ones, I have seen them crucify. "I have seen the Devil in petticoat 3 Willing the souls of men; I have seen great sinners do great deeds I And turn to their sins again. "I have sped through hells of fiery hail, With fell red-fury shod; I have heard the whisper of a voice, I have looked in the face of God." You've a right to youv deep, high look, my lad, You have met God in the ways; At\(l no man looks into His facc But he feels it all his days. You've a right to your deep, high look, my lad, And we thank Him for His grace. —TOTIN OXENHAM.