Dead!

Raw, uncut men led,

All their youthfulness fled,

Wishing others were here in their stead.

Sobbing.

Their hearts, throbbing.

Heads pounding.

Noise of battle resounding.

Full of tears.

Full of fears,

Shivering,

Head to toe in trench mud, quivering,

Head down,

Lowered crown,

Bayonets fitted,

Will the enemy be outwitted?

Each rifle has one in the breech.

Though they will never reach,

To see the other side,

Except where angels chide.

Finally, the whistle blows.

All life flows

Over the top,

Then, a sudden stop.

It’s over

Face down in blood, no clover,

For others,

Those happy few, that band of brothers,

Deaths delayed.

Their pound of flesh, already paid.

The time has come.

Too late to wave goodbye to mum.

Deaths dance,

They didn’t stand a chance,

Dead!

Raw, uncut men, poorly led.