Armistice

The water sings along our keel,   The wind falls to a whispering breath; I look into your eyes and feel   No fear of life or death; So near is love, so far away The losing strife of yesterday. We watch the swallow skim and dip;   Some magic bids the world be still; Life stands with finger upon lip;   Love hath his gentle will; Though hearts have bled, and tears have burned, The river floweth unconcerned. We pray the fickle flag of truce   Still float deceitfully and fair; Our eyes must love its sweet abuse;   This hour we will not care, Though just beyond to-morrow’s gate, Arrayed and strong, the battle wait.