A last smoke

Today marks the103rd anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, it was to last until November 16th 1916, over 3 million men died in the carnage that was to follow.

A Last Smoke

I do not recognise my friend,
as I sit with him to the end,
This face I’d known from boy to man,
split open like a corned beef can.

How can my God allow this hell?
of sniper’s gun – enemy shell,
A battleground where nothing’s gained,
bullet and bombs …a war sustained!

The Generals… they hide and cower,
sitting in their ivory towers,
Then order thousands o’er the top,
if you don’t go you’re for the chop.

Last week we formed a firing squad,
we shot a lad… poor frightened sod!
No one knew who had the bullet,
finger on the trigger, pull it.

That boy whose feeble mind was locked,
was not a coward – just shell shocked,
But they shot the bugger anyway,
on a cold and grey November day.

And now I’m sat here with my chum.
he says his legs are going numb,
I hold a Woodbine to his mouth,
the bullets flying north and south.

I hear a gurgle from his throat,
in that dark place – wet and remote,
Then crimson from his lips it fell,
and to my friend… I bid farewell.

On the 103 year anniversary of the beginning of the battle of the Somme, I make no apologies for posting this poem about the futility and cruelness of war.

About the author

eric1
3250 Up Votes
Hi, I am a grandfather of four beautiful Grandchildren, I have one son and three daughters, We lost Vickie to Cancer in December 2013, she was 23 years old, whoever said time heals haven't lost a child. My profile picture is of Vickie and I haven't changed it since she died, I have a wonderful loving wife without whom I would not have made it through. My escape is writing poetry, I have had five published to date, I now have two books published 'World War One In Verse' is available on Amazon books and 'Poetry From The Heart' is available on Amazon or Feed a Read, just enter the title and my name Eric Harvey. If you love the 50's, 60.s and 70's my new book of poems will take you back to those days, 'A Poetic Trip Along Memory Lane' will jog your memories of bygone days.

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