This quatrain is the preface to Robert W. Service’s book of World War I poetry Rhymes of a Red Cross Man – already 41 years old when WWI started, Service was turned down for military service and so volunteered with the Red Cross. He has a biography as full as anyone could wish for – traveling widely and achieving literary acclaim during his life. Born in England, he was known as the “Poet of the Yukon” for his time spent and poems written in Western Canada. Collage and composition by me. Have a lovely weekend!

The text of the quatrain:

I have no doubt at all the Devil grins,

As seas of ink I spatter.

Ye gods, forgive my “literary” sins –

      The other kind don’t matter.