When you have lost your all in a world’s upheaval, When the sad days bring you the loss of all ambition, They too have fathomed the depths of human anguish,
Suffered and prayed, and found your prayers were vain,
When love is dead, and hope has no renewal -
These need you still; come back to them again.
And pride is gone that gave you strength to bear,
When dreams are shattered, and broken is all decision -
Turn you to these, dependent on your care.
Seen all that counted flung like chaff away;
The dim abodes of pain wherein they languish
Offer that peace for which at last you pray.
— “Hospital Sanctuary” (1918), Vera Brittain. Written after she had returned to duty as a VAD following the death of her brother Edward.
