Leo Marks- "The Life That I Have", History?

August 13, 2013 6:29 PM

Does anyone know the history behind this poem? I know that he wrote it for a fiance that died in a plane crash and that it was written on Christmas Eve 1943, but wondering about its involvement during WWII? I have heard it was used for codes but am looking for a little more depth of information. I am planning to read it at my grandmother's memorial service and she was a history buff so I would love to talk briefly about it's background and story. Thanks so much!

Here is the poem:

The Life That I Have

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
Leo Marks

posted by Hmeleu to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

It's covered quite extensively in Leo's book, Between Silk and Cyanide. Written in memory of his late fiancée, he gave it to Violette Szabo to use as her “code poem”.
posted by scruss at 6:48 PM on August 13, 2013

It looks like you can find a copy of the book online if you google the title and 'PDF'.

Also, here is an interview of him taking about the book.
posted by bq at 10:23 PM on August 13, 2013

It played an important part in the 1958 film "Carve Her Name with Pride."
posted by Carol Anne at 7:25 AM on August 14, 2013