Shall I wear mourning for my soldier?

Dead!

I, a believer?

Give me red!

Or give me royal purple for the King at whose high court my love is visiting.

Dress me in green for growth, for life made new;

For skies his dear feet march, dress me in blue;

In white, for his white soul – robe me in gold.

For all the pride that his new rank shall hold,

In earth’s dim gardens blooms no hue too bright,

To dress me for my love who walks in light!

Gertrude Knevels (1881-1962).