(To A. L. B.)

I would test God’s purposes: I will go up and see What fate He’ll give, what destiny His hand holds for me.

For God is very secret, Slow-smiles, but does not say A word that will foreshadow Shape of the coming day.

Curious am I, curious ... And since He will not tell I’ll prove Him, go up against The naked mouth of Hell.

And what hereafter--Heaven? Or Blighty? O if it were ... Mere agony, mere pain the price Of the returning there.

Or--nothing! Days in mud And slush, then other days ... Aie me! “Are they not all The seas of God”; God’s Ways?