I wrote these lines of love, my dear,

Before the cold days of the war.

When you were near, so near, my dear;

When I was close, so close, to here,

And no one knew what lay in store.

 

Now all these lines have chilled, my dear,

Though love remains, strong as before.

Now you are far, so far, my dear,

While I am shivering with fear;

And all we can expect is more.

 

The lines of love I wrote, my dear,

Lie soiled in tatters on the floor.

They were so sweet, so sweet, my dear,

But their damp shreds and war’s cold sneer

Combine to make our lives unsure.