In cellars, packed-up saints long serried,
Well out of hearing of our trouble.
One Virgin still immaculate
Smiles on for war to flatter her.
She’s halo’d with an old tin hat,
But a piece of hell will batter her.
Similar Posts
With B.E.F. Jun 10. Dear Wife,
I’m in the pink at present, dear.I think the war will end this year.We don’t see much of them square-‘eaded ‘Uns.We’re out of harm’s way, not bad fed.I’m longing for a taste of your old buns.(Say, Jimmie, spare’s a bite of bread.)There don’t seem much to say just now.(Yer what? Then don’t, yer ruddy cow!And…
[I saw his round mouth’s crimson deepen as it fell],
Watched the magnificent recession of farewell,Clouding, half gleam, half glower,And a last splendour burn the heavens of his cheek.And in his eyesThe cold stars lighting, very old and bleak,In different skies.
I saw his round mouth’s crimson deepen as it fell,
Watched the magnificent recession of farewell,Clouding, half gleam, half glower,And a last splendour burn the heavens of his cheek.And in his eyesThe cold stars lighting, very old and bleak,In different skies.
Sit on the bed. I’m blind, and three parts shell.
Both arms have mutinied against me,-brutes.My fingers fidget like ten idle brats.I tried to peg out soldierly,-no use!One dies of war like any old disease.This bandage feels like pennies on my eyes.I have my medals?-Discs to make eyes close.My glorious ribbons?-Ripped from my own backIn scarlet shreds. (That’s for your poetry book.)A short life and…
Bugles sang, saddening the evening air,
Voices of boys were by the river-side.Sleep mothered them; and left the twilight sad.The shadow of the morrow weighed on men.Voices of old despondency resigned,Bowed by the shadow of the morrow, slept.( ) dying toneOf receding voices that will not return.The wailing of the high far-travelling shellsAnd the deep cursing of the provoking ( )The…
Budging the sluggard ripples of the Somme,
Softly her engines down the current screwed,And chuckled softly with contented hum,Till fairy tinklings struck their croonings dumb.The waters rumpling at the stern subdued;The lock-gate took her bulging amplitude;Gently from out the gurgling lock she swum.One reading by that calm bank shaded eyesTo watch her lessening westward quietly.Then, as she neared the bend, her funnel…