# A Letter Home

(To Robert Graves)

#### I

Here I’m sitting in the gloom

Of my quiet attic room.

France goes rolling all around,

Fledged with forest May has crowned.

And I puff my pipe, calm-hearted,

Thinking how the fighting started,

Wondering when we’ll ever end it,

Back to Hell with Kaiser send it,

Gag the noise, pack up and go,

Clockwork soldiers in a row.

I’ve got better things to do

Than to waste my time on you.

#### II

Robert, when I drowse to-night,

Skirting lawns of sleep to chase

Shifting dreams in mazy light,

Somewhere then I’ll see your face

Turning back to bid me follow

Where I wag my arms and hollo,

Over hedges hasting after

Crooked smile and baffling laughter,

Running tireless, floating, leaping,

Down your web-hung woods and valleys,

Garden glooms and hornbeam alleys,

Where the glowworm stars are peeping,

73