The Cause of This I Know Not

Whither they went, nor why;

But I still remember the laughter

And the bright eyes flashing by-

The day the girls were kissing

The boys who had to die.

I search in vain for the reason-

: What does a poet know ?-

Only that youth is lovely,

Only that youth must go;

And hearts are made to be broken,

And love is always woe.

SONG

Poppies paramour the girls,

Lilies put the boys to bed-

Death not other is than this

After everything is said.

They are safe, and shall not fade,

After everything is done,

Past the solace of the shade

Or the rescue of the sun.

Structure

20 lines · 2 stanzas