Wilfred Wilson Gibson (Уилфрид Уилсон Гибсон)

Retreat

Broken, bewildered by the long retreat
Across the stifling leagues of southern plain,
Across the scorching leagues of trampled grain,
Half-stunned, half-blinded, by the trudge of feet
And dusty smother of the August heat,
He dreamt of flowers in an English lane,
Of hedgerow flowers glistening after rain --
All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet.

All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet --
The innocent names kept up a cool refrain --
All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet,
Chiming and tinkling in his aching brain,
Until he babbled like a child again --
"All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet."

Wilfred Wilson Gibson’s other poems:

  1. The Parrots
  2. The Unknown Knight
  3. The Knight of the Wood
  4. Breakfast
  5. ОднополчанеComrades




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