<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Spring in Picardy</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WHEN earth was bare, and sky a murky pall,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And snow and sleet filled all the miles and</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">days</p><p class="line">That held us two asunder, all my gaze</p><p class="line">Was bounded by an impenetrable wall</p><p class="line">Of chill, numbed, burdened hours, that rose so tall</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">I only dimly knew that your fair ways</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lay far beyond it, where desire could raise</p><p class="line">To bring you nearer, no sufficient call.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Ah God! that blank was better borne than this</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Flushed wantonness of May, these maiden leaves</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That bare themselves to bathe in the ardent</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">moon.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">There is a false note in the wood-dove's croon;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And all is meaningless, show that deceives.</p><p class="line">Hollow, lacking its core and clue—your kiss.</p></div></body></html> · Great War