Page:More songs by the fighting men, soldier poets, second series, 1917.djvu/21

Paul Bewsher Scarce human seem I, moving through the skies,

And far removed from warlike enterprise—

Like some great gull on high

Whose white and gleaming wings beat on through space.

Then do I feel with God quite, quite alone,

High in the virgin morn, so white and still,

And free from human ill:

My prayers transcend my feeble earth-bound plaints—

As though I sang among the happy Saints

With many a holy thrill—

As though the glowing sun were God's bright Throne.

My flight is done. I cross the line of foam

That breaks around a town of grey and red,

Whose streets and squares lie dead

Beneath the silent dawn—then am I proud

That England's peace to guard I am allowed;

Then bow my humble head,

In thanks to Him Who brings me safely home. 17