First World War Poetry Digital Archive

How at Once

THE SWIFTS by EDWARD THOMAS How at once should I know, When stretched in the harvest blue I saw the swift's black bow, That I would not have that view Another day Until next May Again it is due? The same year after year--- But with the swift alone. With other things I but fear That they will be over and done Suddenly And I only see Them to know them gone.

Citation

“How at Once,” by Thomas, Edward (1878-1917). Copyright Edward Thomas, 1979, reproduced under licence from Faber and Faber Ltd. via First World War Poetry Digital Archive, accessed April 23, 2024, http://ww1lit.nsms.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/collections/item/2895.

Permitted Use

This item is available for non-commercial educational use under the terms of the Jisc Model Licence. Further details available at: http://ww1lit.nsms.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/permitteduse