The Approach

1.

In the Grass:

Halt by the

In my tired, helpless bodyI feel my sunk heart ache;

But suddenly,

The far, the great guns shake.

Is it sudden

Burdens my heart?

My

Flies to my head.

I listen…And do not understand.

Is death so near, then?

From this blazing light,

Do I plunge

Into vortex?  Night?

Guns again! the

Shakes at the vengeful voice…It is terrible pleasureI do not fear;

I rejoice.2.

On the Way

The battery grinds and jingles,

Mile succeeds to mile;

Shaking the noonday sunshine,

The guns lunge out a

And then are still a while.

We amble along the highway;

The reeking, powdery

Ascends and cakes our faces,

With a striped, sweaty crust.

Under the still sky's

The heat throbs in the air…The white road's dusty radiance,

Assumes a dark glare.

With a head hot and heavy,

And eyes that cannot rest,

And a black heart

In a stifled breast,

I sit in the saddle,

I feel the road unroll,

And keep my senses

Toward to-morrow's goal.

There over unknown meadows,

Which we must reach at last,

Day and night thundersA black and chilly blast.

Heads forget heaviness,

Hearts forget spleen,

For by that mighty

Being is blown clean.

Light in the eyes again,

Strength in the hand,

A spirit dares, dies,

And can understand.

And best!  Love comes back

After grief and shame,

And along the wind of

Throws a clean flame!

The battery grinds and jingles;

Mile succeeds to mile;

Suddenly battering the

The guns burst out a while.

I lift my head and smile.3.

Nearer and ever nearer….

My body tired but

Hovers 'twixt vague

And tremulous confidence.

Arms to have and to use them,

And a soul to be

Worthy if not worthy;

If afraid, unafraid!

To endure for a little.

To endure and have done:

Men I love about me,

Over me the sun!

And should at last

Fly the speeding death:

The four great quarters of

Receive this little breath.