I attempted to tell a story , to tell it in a poetry form. For remembrance.


LAST MAN STANDING

The general was riding his fine charger

When he came across a single soldier standing

A lone

Reading out a list of names

The general was intrigued

He rode up to the soldier

And asked '' what are you doing , man?

'' Roll call , Sir '' He stood ridged and saluted the general

'' Roll call? '' '' There's only you , corporal ''

'' Where's your men , the officers? ''

'' Well , Sir , there were 653 an hour a go , Sir ''

''Dead , wounded , sir '' , '' laying in no mans land , Sir ''

'' Hanging , court up on the barbed wire , Sir ''

'' some , a very few made it 'ter Fritz's trenches , Sir''

'' Cant say what happonde 'Em , dead or captured , Sir ''

'' We folowde your order's Sir , to the letter , Sir '' , '' went over the top , sir''

'' Now just me left to take roll call , Sir ''

'' Now , Sir , begging your pardon , Sir ''

'' I best finish , Sir , with your permission , Sir '' ,

'' Begging your pardon again Sir '' , '' they told me , Sir ''

''They told us they'd be glory , Sir '' '' as they gave us the Kings shilling ''

'' only I saw no glory out there , sir ''

'' I saw only the dead and dieing , Sr '' , '' laying out there , Sir ''

He saluted the general , the general , in shock returned the salute

The corporal , went back to call out all the names

Last name called out , the last man standing , called out , '' parade , parade ,

'' ATTENTION! '', '' PARADE , PARADE , DISMISS! ''

The corporeal turned smartly to the right ,

It was then the general noticed a piece of shrapnel protruding from the corporals

shoulder , blood oozing , dripping to mix with the dust on the ground

The general still in shock , pointed that out to the corporeal ,

'' Oh that , Sir '' '' thats alight , Sir '' , '' thats from one of ours , Sir ''

'' Never mind , Sir ''

'' Now if don't mind , sir '' , '' I'll join the battalion , me chum's , sir ''

He saluted the general , the general instinctively returned the salute

Then the corporal , dropped down dead , the general , kick his charger forward

The war went on




Ken D Williams

The Dyslexic Wordsmith




Poetry by ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 559 times
Written on 2012-11-13 at 15:48

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