War Song

Soldier, in a curious land
     All across a swaying sea,
Take her smile and lift her hand —
     Have no guilt of me.

Soldier, when were soldiers true?
     If she's kind and sweet and gay,
Use the wish I send to you -
     Lie not lone 'till day!

Only, for the nights that were,
     Soldier, and the dawns that came,
When in sleep you turn to her
     Call her by my name.

One Perfect Rose

A single flower he sent me, since we met.
     All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet -
     One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;
     "My fragile leaves," it said; "his heart enclose."
Love long has taken for his amulet
     One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet
     One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah, no, it's always just my luck to get
     One perfect rose.