Unknown Solider
Unknown Soldier
He died on the first day
of the battle of the Somme
blood-shod and flailing in no-mans land
until one blow immortalised him.
Venerated in clay he became - everyman
classroom lesson, hero and bronze plaque
forever poised for his final call.
His face - grotesque lines of agony
until polish smoothed all away.
Now, more than a hundred years on -
though horrified surprise no longer emerges
he still looks out, as if to trenches.
Audio recording below:
