5 November 2012
I didn't celebrate on my own My twin brother James is here Together we have loved and grown
It's been raining for endless days All around is the foul stinking earth We are damp, cold and hungry Our next door neighbour is death
The filthy rats are our friends now The real ones are slowly dying At the hands of General Haig But there is no solace in us crying
They lit a single match And sang Happy Birthday We all shared stale biscuits No matter what, there is still camaraderie
We smiled and joked Slapped each other on the back A single moment of normality Before the artillery attack
It came without warning When our guard was momentarily down The shell exploded beside us James was on the ground
I dropped my battered rifle Held him in a tight embrace His body had saved my life But shrapnel disfigured his face
'I'll be alright, won't I? Mother is expecting us tonight She said she would bake apple pie Perhaps tomorrow we could fly our kite?'
They continued to fall around me As the rain of fire showered down I held my dying brother Amongst the decay and rats on the ground
This trench is where I'll die It's hell upon earth He sends in thousands more each week Sending young men to certain death
He died in my arms yesterday Burnt, weak and pale It's a birthday I'll never forget In the trenches of Passchendeal
To be continued....
*I will be posting a series of poems up to and including Armistice Day. Whether you support our troops or not, it should be a week of reflection and remembrance for those who have and still give their lives for your freedom and democracy.
TRENCH. We Will Remember Them • Opuss № I