VI. THE WAKING

Now war is over and a world set free,

And youth returns, triumphant, to our land —

And dear-heart, you'll be coming back to me,

With eager lips, and tender outstretched hand!

You will be coming as you came of old,

At evening time, with laughter lilting gay;

Glad of the little things that life may hold —

And I will meet you in the self same way....

Yes, in the shadows by my oaken door,

I will be waiting as I used to wait —

And I will feel that you are come, before

I hear the clicking of the garden gate.

And, in the darkness there, my pulse will leap,

Reviving dreams that long have lain asleep!