All was calm,
The soft droplets of water on the bunk,
Soldiers talked of home and past loves,
While I lay there thinking: Is this war?
Is this the ‘mighty struggle’ read in storybooks?
Surely something, anything will end the boredom soon
To make all this waiting worth while,
Something did happen.
We shouted to each other,
Crying incoherent mumblings to the commander,
Charge? Retreat? Hold the line?
Confused mud-splattered men clambered out of trenches,
The air, murky-grey with murderous smoke,
Many falling, faces turning to lifeless statues,
The relentless rumbling of guns refused rest,
What I had been waiting for would now destroy thousands.
All was calm,
The soft summer breeze wafting through the air,
Whispers from awe-struck children;
Looking down the rows upon rows of fallen comrades,
Memories just one slab of marble,
Together those small slabs looked beautiful,
Shining in the afternoon sun,
Is this what we went to war for?
