Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved;
Cold, yet had heat within me that was
Against the North wind; tired, yet so that
Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof.
Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest,
Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I.
All of the night was quite barred out
An owl's cry, a most melancholy
Shaken out long and clear upon the hill,
No merry note, nor cause of merriment,
But one telling me plain what I
And others could not, that night, as in I went.
And salted was my food, and my repose,
Salted and sobered, too, by the bird's
Speaking for all who lay under the stars,
Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.
