BW21: Lamplight by May Wedderburn Cannan

Lamplight 

by

May Wedderburn Cannan

Source: Penguin Book of First World War Poetry

We planned to shake the world together, you and I

Being young and very wise;

Now in the light of the green shaded lamp

Almost I see your eyes

Light with the old gay laughter; you and I 

Dreamed greatly of an Empire in those days,

Setting our feet upon laborious ways,

And all you asked of fame

Was crossed swords in the Army List.

We planned a great Empire together, you and I,

Bound only by the sea;

Now in the quiet of a chill Winter's night

Your voice comes hushed to me

Full of forgotten memories; you and I

Dreamed great dreams of our future in those days,

And all I asked of fame

A scarlet cross on my breast, my Dear,

for the swords by your name.

We shall never shake the world together, you and I,

For you gave your life away;

and I think my heart was broken by the war,

Since on a Summer day

You took the road we never spoke of, you and I

Dreamed greatly of an Empire in those days;

You set your feet upon the Western ways

And have no need of fame ---

There's a scarlet cross on my breast, my Dear,

And a torn cross with your name. 

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