Well, so it went. And on a day she leaned Above my face to smooth the pillow out. And from her heart a golden locket fell, And dangled by the silver chain. The locket Flew open and I saw a face within it, That is I saw there was a face, but saw No eyes or hair, saw nothing to limn out The face so I would know it. Then I said: "You have a lover, nurse." She straightened up And questioned me: "Have you been ill before? Do you know of the care a nurse can give, And what she can withhold?" I answered "Yes." And then she asked: "Have you felt in my hands Great tenderness, solicitude, even prayer?"-- Here, sweetheart, do not let your eyes get moist, I'll tell you everything, for you must see How spirits work together, love to love Passes and does its work. Well, it was true, I felt her tenderness, which was like prayer, And so I answered her: "If I get well, You will have cured me with your human love." And then she said: "Our unit reached this place When there was neither stoves nor lights. At night We went to bed by candles. Stumbled around Amid the trunks and beds by candle light. Well, one of us would light a candle, then Each, one by one, the others lighted theirs From this one down the room. And so we passed The light along. And as a candle died, The others burned, to which the light was passed. Well, now," she said, "that is a figure of love: We get the flame from someone, light another, Make brighter light by holding flame to flame-- Sometimes we searched for something, held two candles Together for a greater light. And so, My soldier, I have given you the care That comes from love--of country and the cause, But brightened, warmed by one from whom the flame Was passed to me, a love that took my hand And warmed it, made it tender for that love, Which said pour out and serve, take love for him And use it in the cause, by using hands To bathe, to soothe, to smooth a pillow down, To heal, sustain." The truth is, dearest heart, I had not lived, I think, except for her. And there we were: I filled with love for you, And therefore praying to get well and fight, Be worthy of your love, and there she was With love for someone, striving with that love To nurse me through and give me well and strong To battle in the cause. Then I got well And joined my company. She took my hand As I departed, closed her eyes and said: "May God be with you."