War and Love/Picket

by Richard Aldington

 

PICKET

IFirst Watch: Night

The stars which night by night of lateWere veiled to all men's eyesAre veiled in cloud,As my clear happy mindIn this brief solitude.

IILast Watch: Dawn

Dusk and deep silence …

Three soldiers huddled on a benchOver a red-hot brazier,And a fourth one stands apartWatching the cold rainy dawn.

Then the familiar sound of birds—Clear cock-crow, caw of rooks,Frail pipe of linnet, the "ting! ting!" of chaffinches,And over all the larkOutpiercing even the robin …

Wearily the sentry movesMuttering the one word: "Peace."