William Soutar

The Permanence of the Young Men

No man outlives the grief of war

Though he outlive its wreck:

Upon the memory a scar

Through all his years will ache.

 

Hopes will revive when horrors cease

And dreaming dread be stilled;

But there shall dwell within his peace

A sadness unannulled.

 

Upon his world shall hang a sign

Which summer cannot hide:

The permanence of the young men

Who are not by his side.