The poem hereunder describes the true realities for those forced to go to war to protect their country.
The poem tells of the suicide of a young man sent off to war, while attacking the often “smug-faced crowds” who group together to greet returning soldiers.
The poem is by English war poet, writer, and soldier, Siegfried Loraine Sassoon, (1886 – 1967); [Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (CBE); Military Cross (MC) July 27th 1916].
“Suicide In The Trenches”
I knew a simple soldier boy,
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed* and glum,
With crumps* and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know,
The hell where youth and laughter go.
END.
* Cowed – Frightened.
* Crumps – Loud thudding sounds made by exploding bombs or by detonating shell fire.
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