In Remembrance of Edward Thomas (1878—1917, aged 39)
and a rejoinder to his great poem ‘ Lights Out')


The forest followed your footsteps
the night shared its secrets with you--the stream
murmured in consonance with your mellifluous verse
the moon and stars they found comfort in your dream-

the English countryside with the season's sweetest flowers
waved to you and ' Join us in endless mirth and life's beauty' said-
the distant hills sprang from their long slumber---how short was your life:
' lights out' - we who love your poetry our tears we can't help but shed.