A TEAR SONG by WILFRED OWEN

Out of the endless nave
    Chorus tremendous,
While the gruff organ gave
    Sponses stupendous.

But of a surety
    Not one among them
Said the psalms heartfully
    Of all that sung them,

Saving one chorister,
    Sweet as gay bugles when
Robin the Forester
    Rallied his merry men.

Opened his little teeth
    Like the round daisy's.
Smiled they for things beneath,
    Or Zion's praises?

He sang of friendly bees
    Not of the hills that skip,
It was that morning's breeze
    Piped on his lip.

But his eyes jewelled were
    Of his own singing,
God saw the sparkle there
    On his lids clinging.

God the boy's jewel took
    Into His casket,
Flinging the anthem book
    On His waste-basket.

God for his glittering world
    Seeketh our tears.
Prayers show as eyelids pearled.
    God hath no ears.