A Day Off From The Fighting (Poetry)
04th November 2018
Who named today as one of contemplation? —
agreed the guns stay silent and unmanned?
this lull spontaneous or by decision
to break awhile — consider some new plan
Unburied dead lie waiting with their medals
uncounted yet, the telegrams unsent
‘Died in action’ common to the keyboard
regret inferred — no room for sentiment
The canvas flaps, the wind blows hot from Hades
men doze uneasy with the lack of noise
while dread anticipation quickens aging
on faces that just weeks ago were boys’
The hours drag, the sentry’s shadow lengthens
the wounded sob delirious with pain
the chaplain prays, a soldier cleans his rifle
tomorrow they’ll be fighting once again
agreed the guns stay silent and unmanned?
this lull spontaneous or by decision
to break awhile — consider some new plan
Unburied dead lie waiting with their medals
uncounted yet, the telegrams unsent
‘Died in action’ common to the keyboard
regret inferred — no room for sentiment
The canvas flaps, the wind blows hot from Hades
men doze uneasy with the lack of noise
while dread anticipation quickens aging
on faces that just weeks ago were boys’
The hours drag, the sentry’s shadow lengthens
the wounded sob delirious with pain
the chaplain prays, a soldier cleans his rifle
tomorrow they’ll be fighting once again