Crucifix Corner

There was a water dump there, and regimental Carts came every day to line up and fill full Those rolling tanks with chlorinated clear mixture; And curse the mud with vain veritable vexture. Aveluy across the valley, billets, shacks, ruins, With time and time a crump there to mark doings. On New Year's Eve the marsh glowed tremulous With rosy mist still holding late marvellous Sun-glow, the air smelt home; the time breathed home. Noel not put away; new term not yet come, All things said 'Severn', the air was full of those calm meadows; Transport rattled somewhere in the southern shadows; Stars that were not strange ruled the most quiet high Arch of soft sky, starred and most grave to see, most high. What should break that but gun-noise or last Trump? But neither came. At sudden, with light jump Clarinet sang into 'Hundred Pipers and A'', Aveluy's Scottish answered with pipers true call 'Happy we've been a'together.' When nothing Stayed of war-weariness or winter's loathing, Crackers with Christmas stockings hung in the heavens, Gladness split discipline in sixes and sevens, Hunger ebb'd magically mixed with strange leavens; Forgotten, forgotten the hard time's true clothing, And stars were happy to see Man making Fate plaything.