| George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917. |
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| 102. Optimism |
| | | By A. Victor Ratcliffe |
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| AT last there’ll dawn the last of the long year, | |
| Of the long year that seemed to dream no end, | |
| Whose every dawn but turned the world more drear, | |
| And slew some hope, or led away some friend. | |
| Or be you dark, or buffeting, or blind, | 5 |
| We care not, day, but leave not death behind. | |
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| The hours that feed on war go heavy-hearted, | |
| Death is no fare wherewith to make hearts fain. | |
| Oh, we are sick to find that they who started | |
| With glamour in their eyes came not again. | 10 |
| O day, be long and heavy if you will, | |
| But on our hopes set not a bitter heel. | |
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| For tiny hopes like tiny flowers of Spring | |
| Will come, though death and ruin hold the land, | |
| Though storms may roar they may not break the wing | 15 |
| Of the earthed lark whose song is ever bland. | |
| Fell year unpitiful, slow days of scorn, | |
| Your kind shall die, and sweeter days be born. | |
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