The Signaller’s Vision

One rainy winter dusk
Mending a parted cable,
Sudden I saw so clear
Home and the tea-table.

So clear it was, so sweet,
I did not start, but drew
The breath of deep content
Some minutes ere I knew

My Mother’s face that’s soother
Than autumn half-lights kind,
My softly smiling sisters
Who keep me still in mind,

Were but a dream, a vision--
That faded. And I knew
The smell of trench, trench-feeling--
And turned to work anew.